United States – Syria Temporary Protected Status Extended and Redesignated
US – Syria’s Temporary Protected Status Extended
The Department of Homeland Security has both extended the designation and redesignated Syria for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, from March 31, 2021 through September 30, 2022. This extension allows currently eligible TPS beneficiaries to retain their TPS through September 30, 2022, and the redesignation allows new eligible applicants who have been continuously residing in the United States since March 19, 2021, to apply for TPS benefits.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has both extended the designation and redesignated Syria for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, from March 31, 2021 through September 30, 2022.1 This is based on a determination that the ongoing armed conflict and other extraordinary conditions prompting Syria’s initial TPS designation continue to pose a serious threat to the safety of its nationals should they be required to return to Syria.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Employers and current TPS beneficiaries should be apprised of the redesignation and extension of TPS designation for Syria, as it allows for continued work authorization for certain eligible individuals.
This extension allows currently eligible TPS beneficiaries to retain their TPS through September 30, 2022, if they otherwise continue to meet the TPS eligibility requirements. The redesignation of Syria allows new eligible applicants who have been continuously residing in the United States since March 19, 2021, to apply for TPS benefits, including valid U.S. work authorization.
Background – What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?
When conditions in a country temporarily prevent its nationals from returning safely, or in certain circumstances where the country is unable to handle the return of its nationals adequately, DHS may designate such foreign country for TPS. Typically, with respect to countries where there is ongoing armed conflict, an environmental disaster has occurred, or there are other extraordinary and temporary conditions, the DHS may designate such a country for TPS. Under this program, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may grant TPS, including permission to work lawfully, to eligible nationals of TPS-designated countries who are already in the United States.
Next Steps for Current Syrian TPS Beneficiaries
Individuals who have already been granted TPS under Syria's designation have 60 days, from March 19, 2021 through May 18, 2021, to request an 18-month extension of status and work authorization.
Below is a summary of the reregistration process:
- Who can register: Reregistration is limited to individuals who previously registered for and were granted TPS under Syria’s designation.
- When to register: Current Syrian TPS beneficiaries must submit Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, to USCIS by May 18, 2021.
- Extending employment authorization: Beneficiaries who wish to extend their employment authorization for 18 months must also timely submit a Form I-765, Application for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), with the applicable fees.
- Automatic EAD extensions: DHS automatically extends the validity of EADs previously issued under the TPS designation of Syria for 180 days, through September 27, 2021. TPS beneficiaries can present their EAD cards with: (1) a March 31, 2021 expiration date and (2) an A-12 or C-19 category code as proof of continued employment authorization through September 27, 2021. For Form I-9 employment eligibility verification purposes, employers may accept a TPS-related EADs with an expiration date of March 31, 2021, along with a copy of the March 19, 2021 Federal Register notice extending Syria’s TPS designation.
Next Steps for New Applicants
New applicants may submit an initial application (Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status) during the 180-day initial registration period from March 19, 2021 through September 15, 2021. In addition to demonstrating continuous residence in the United States since March 19, 2021, and meeting other eligibility criteria, first-time applicants for TPS under the redesignation must demonstrate continued physical presence in the United States since March 31, 2021, the effective date of this redesignation of Syria.
New applicants may also apply for employment and travel authorization during the registration period by submitting the corresponding forms and fee or fee waiver requests. Approved TPS applications and related work authorizations will be issued with a September 30, 2022 expiration date.
Note: all individuals applying for TPS must undergo security and background checks as part of determining eligibility. biometrics (i.e., fingerprints) collection is generally required for applicants ages 14 and older.
KPMG NOTE
KPMG Law LLP in Canada is closely monitoring immigration matters. We will endeavor to keep readers of GMS Flash Alert posted on any important developments as and when they occur.
FOOTNOTE
1 See the March 19, 2021 Federal Register Notice, “Extension and Redesignation of Syria for Temporary Protected Status.”
Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
VIEW ALL
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Canada.
SUBSCRIBE
To subscribe to GMS Flash Alert, fill out the subscription form.
We respectfully acknowledge that KPMG offices across Turtle Island (North America) are located on the traditional, treaty, and unceded territories of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
© 2024 KPMG LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership and a member firm of the KPMG global organization of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee. All rights reserved.
For more detail about the structure of the KPMG global organization please visit https://kpmg.com/governance.
GMS Flash Alert is a Global Mobility Services publication of the KPMG LLP Washington National Tax practice. The KPMG name and logo are trademarks used under license by the independent member firms of the KPMG global organization. KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee and does not provide services to clients. No member firm has any authority to obligate or bind KPMG International or any other member firm vis-à-vis third parties, nor does KPMG International have any such authority to obligate or bind any member firm. The information contained herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavor to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act on such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.