Release Date January 26, 2024
In a move to address the ongoing armed conflict and severe conditions in Syria, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas has announced the extension and redesignation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Syria. This extension covers a period of 18 months, effective from April 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025.
The decision to extend and redesignate TPS for Syria stems from a comprehensive evaluation of the dire circumstances in the country, taking into account factors such as the civil war's extensive destruction, widespread civilian casualties, and serious human rights violations. Additionally, the humanitarian crisis has been exacerbated by mass displacement of civilians, heightened food insecurity, and restricted access to essential services like healthcare and clean water. The impact of earthquakes on February 6, 2023, has further compounded these challenges, leading to the breakdown of infrastructure and economic instability.
To provide humanitarian relief, Secretary Mayorkas, in consultation with interagency partners, has utilized the legal tool of TPS to assist Syrian nationals already present in the United States who face unsafe conditions in their home country.
Accompanying this announcement is a Special Student Relief notice for F-1 nonimmigrant students from Syria. This measure allows eligible students to request employment authorization, work an increased number of hours during the school term, and reduce their course load while maintaining F-1 status throughout the TPS designation period.
"We recognize the vulnerable status of Syrian nationals already present in the United States who cannot safely return home," said Secretary Mayorkas. "We are therefore using the legal tool available to us to provide them with this much-needed humanitarian relief."
The Federal Register notice provides comprehensive information on how eligible individuals can register as new or current beneficiaries for TPS under Syria's extension and redesignation. The decision reflects the U.S. government's commitment to addressing the complex challenges faced by those affected by ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary conditions in Syria.
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