US Homeland Security extends Temporary Protected Status for citizens of Ukraine and Sudan News
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US Homeland Security extends Temporary Protected Status for citizens of Ukraine and Sudan

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) took action on Friday to extend and redesignate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of Ukraine and Sudan due to ongoing armed conflicts in those countries. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas stated that DHS is prolonging and redesignating the TPS designation of both Ukraine and Sudan for 18 months, from October 20, 2023 until April 19, 2025.

The TPS program functions as a form of temporary humanitarian relief for individuals unable to return to their home countries due to exceptional and temporary conditions. The extension of TPS enables qualifying citizens of Ukraine and Sudan, as well as individuals lacking nationality and residing in these nations, to avoid being deported to those countries and to apply for employment authorization.

The redesignation also allows more individuals from these nations to apply for TPS.  New applicants must demonstrate continuous physical presence in the United States since August 16, 2023.

For Sudan, an extra provision known as Special Student Relief will be available. This grants F-1 nonimmigrant students from Sudan the ability to request employment authorization, work more hours during school sessions and reduce their course load while maintaining F-1 status under the TPS designation.

The extension and redesignation of TPS for Ukraine will affect approximately 26,000 current beneficiaries and extend eligibility to around 166,700 new applicants. Likewise, the extension and redesignation of TPS for Sudan will provide benefits to about 1,200 current beneficiaries and make roughly 2,750 more individuals eligible for TPS.

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