Temporary Protected Status Extended for Sudan

Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson has extended Sudan’s designation for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for an additional 18 months due to the ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions in Sudan that prevent its nationals from safely returning. The extended designation is effective May 3, 2016, through Nov. 2, 2017.

According to a press release issued by the USCIS, the current TPS Sudan beneficiaries seeking to extend their TPS status must re-register during a 60-day period that runs from Jan. 25, 2016, through March 25, 2016. “U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) encourages beneficiaries to re-register as soon as possible,” the press release added.

The 18-month extension also allows TPS re-registrants to apply for a new Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Eligible Sudan TPS beneficiaries who re-register during the 60-day period and request a new EAD will receive one with an expiration date of Nov. 2, 2017.

“USCIS 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 Sudan EADs bearing a May 2, 2016, expiration date for an additional six months. These existing EADs are now valid through Nov. 2, 2016,” it added

To re-register, 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 Form 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 Sudan application do not need to submit a new Form I-821. However, if they currently have a TPS-related EAD and want a new work permit, 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.

Additional information about TPS for Sudan—including guidance on eligibility, the application process and where to file—is available at uscis.gov/tps. The Federal Register notice published today (Jan 25) contains further details about this extension of TPS for Sudan, including application requirements and procedures, and the six month auto-extension of current Sudan TPS EADs.

USCIS 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 request that USCIS 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.

All USCIS forms are free. Applicants can download these forms from the USCIS website at uscis.gov/forms or request forms by mail by calling the USCIS Forms Request Line toll-free at 1-800-870-3676.

Applicants seeking information about the status of their cases can check My Case Status Online or call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 (TDD for the deaf and hard of hearing: 1-800-767-1833).

For more information about USCIS and its programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow USCIS on Facebook (/uscis), Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis) and the USCIS blog The Beacon.

This news is based on a press release issued by the USCIS.