USCIS Extends TPS Designations for Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea
On March 22, 2016, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the extension of temporary protected status (TPS) designations of Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea for an additional six months. The extended designation is effective May 22, 2016, through November 21, 2016. Current TPS Guinea, Liberia, or Sierra Leone beneficiaries seeking to extend their TPS must re-register during a 60-day period that began on March 22, 2016, and runs through May 23, 2016. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) encourages beneficiaries to re-register as soon as possible.
USCIS noted “significant improvements in the conditions in all three countries since their designations for TPS in November 2014,” but said the lingering effects of the Ebola virus disease outbreak and continued recovery challenges support a six-month extension.
The six-month extension allows TPS re-registrants to apply for a new employment authorization document (EAD). Eligible TPS beneficiaries who re-register during the 60-day period and request a new EAD will receive one with an expiration date of November 21, 2016. USCIS said it recognizes that some re-registrants may not receive their new EADs until after their current work permits expire. Therefore, USCIS is automatically extending current TPS Guinea, Liberia,
and Sierra Leone EADs bearing a May 21, 2016, expiration date for six months. These existing EADs are now valid through November 21, 2016.
To re-register for TPS, current beneficiaries must submit:
- Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status (re-registrants do not need to pay the Form I-821 application fee);
- Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, regardless of whether they want an EAD;
- The I-765 application fee (or a fee-waiver request) only if they want an EAD. If the re-registrant does not want an EAD, no application fee is required; and
- The biometric services fee (or a fee-waiver request) if they are age 14 or older.
- Individuals who still have a pending initial TPS Guinea, Liberia, or Sierra Leone application do not need to submit a new I-821. However, if they currently have a TPS-related EAD and want a new EAD, they should submit:
- Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization;
- The Form I-765 application fee, regardless of their age; and
- A copy of the receipt notice for the initial Form I-821 that is still pending.
USCIS said it will reject the TPS application of any applicant who fails to submit the required filing fees or a properly documented fee-waiver request. Applicants may ask USCIS to waive any fees based on an inability to pay by filing Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, or by submitting a written request. Fee-waiver requests must be accompanied by supporting documentation.
See also:
- The USCIS announcement.
- Additional information about TPS—including guidance on eligibility, the application process, and where to file.
- The Federal Register notices contain further details, including application requirements and procedures, and the six-month auto-extension of current EADs.
- See (Liberia), (Sierra Leone), and (Guinea).
