Secretary Mayorkas Announces Extension and Redesignation of Somalia for Temporary Protected Status
WASHINGTON – Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced today the extension and redesignation of Somalia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, from September 18, 2024, to March 17, 2026. This decision is based on conditions in Somalia that prevent individuals from safely returning.
After consulting interagency partners, Secretary Mayorkas determined that the extension and redesignation are warranted due to ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary temporary conditions in Somalia. These include widespread insecurity and violence leading to civilian abuse and displacement, intense flooding, continued food insecurity, disease outbreaks, and significant barriers to humanitarian aid deliveries.
“Armed conflict and widespread insecurity have harmed and displaced civilians in Somalia for years, exacerbated today by the ravages of famine, disease, and extreme weather,” said Secretary Mayorkas. “Granting protection through Temporary Protected Status ensures that Somalis already in the United States can reside and work here while these deteriorated conditions in Somalia continue.”
The extension allows approximately 600 current beneficiaries to retain TPS through March 17, 2026, provided they continue to meet eligibility requirements. Current TPS beneficiaries must re-register during the 60-day period from July 22, 2024, through September 20, 2024.
The redesignation permits an estimated additional 4,300 Somali nationals (or individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Somalia) to file initial applications for TPS if they are otherwise eligible. They must have established residence in the United States on or before July 12, 2024.
A corresponding Federal Register notice provides information about registering for TPS as a new or current beneficiary under Somalia’s extension and redesignation. It explains eligibility criteria, timelines, procedures necessary for re-registration and renewal of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), as well as initial applications under the redesignation.
Accompanying this announcement is a Special Student Relief notice for F-1 nonimmigrant students whose country of citizenship is Somalia. Eligible students may request employment authorization, work increased hours while school is in session, and reduce their course load while maintaining F-1 status through the TPS designation period.
The Department of Homeland Security recognizes that not all re-registrants may receive a new EAD before their current one expires. The validity of certain EADs previously issued under Somalia’s TPS designation is automatically extended through September 17, 2025.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will continue processing pending applications filed under previous TPS designations for Somalia. Individuals with pending Form I-821 or related Form I-765 as of July 22 do not need to refile these applications. If approved under the previous designation of TPS for Somalia, USCIS will grant them TPS through March 17, 2026.
Eligible individuals who do not have TPS may submit an initial Form I-821 during the registration period from July 22 through March 17, 2026. Applicants may also apply for EADs and travel authorization by submitting Form I-765 with their Form I-821 or separately later.
Since the Securing the Border Presidential Proclamation was issued in early June over 50,000 noncitizens have been removed or returned to more than 100 countries. DHS continues to enforce U.S. laws against irregular migration journeys which often result in loss of life.
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