Extension and Redesignation of South Sudan for Temporary Protected Status

Through this Notice, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announces that the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) is extending the designation of South Sudan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months from November 3, 2014 through May 2, 2016, and redesignating South Sudan for TPS for 18 months, effective November 3, 2014 through May 2, 2016. The extension allows currently eligible TPS beneficiaries to retain TPS through May 2, 2016, so long as they otherwise continue to meet the eligibility requirements for TPS. The redesignation of South Sudan allows additional individuals who have been continuously residing in the United States since September 2, 2014 to obtain TPS, if otherwise eligible. The Secretary has determined that an extension of the current designation and a redesignation of South Sudan for TPS are warranted because of the ongoing armed conflict and other extraordinary and temporary conditions that prompted the 2013 TPS redesignation have not only persisted, but have deteriorated. The ongoing armed conflict in South Sudan and other extraordinary and temporary conditions would pose a serious threat to the personal safety of South Sudanese nationals if they were required to return to their country. Through this Notice, DHS also sets forth procedures necessary for nationals of South Sudan (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in South Sudan) either to: (1) Re-register under the extension if they already have TPS and to apply for renewal of their Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS); or, (2) submit an initial registration application under the redesignation and apply for an EAD. For individuals who have already been granted TPS under the 2011 original South Sudan designation or under the 2013 South Sudan redesignation, the 60-day re-registration period runs from September 2, 2014 through November 3, 2014. USCIS will issue new EADs with a May 2, 2016 expiration date to eligible South Sudan TPS beneficiaries who timely re-register and apply for EADs under this extension. Given the timeframes involved with processing TPS re- registration applications, DHS recognizes that not all re-registrants will receive new EADs before their current EADs expire on November 2, 2014. Accordingly, through this Notice, DHS automatically extends the validity of EADs issued under the TPS designation of South Sudan for 6 months, through May 2, 2015, and explains how TPS beneficiaries and their employers may determine which EADs are automatically extended and their impact on Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) and E- Verify processes. Under the redesignation, individuals who currently do not have TPS (or an initial TPS application pending) may submit an initial application during the 180-day initial registration period that runs from September 2, 2014 through March 2, 2015. In addition to demonstrating continuous residence in the United States since September 2, 2014 and meeting other eligibility criteria, initial applicants for TPS under this redesignation must demonstrate that they have been continuously physically present in the United States since November 3, 2014, the effective date of this redesignation of South Sudan, before USCIS may grant them TPS. TPS applications that were filed during the 2013 South Sudan redesignation that remain pending on September 2, 2014 will be treated as initial applications under this 2014 redesignation. Therefore, individuals who have a pending South Sudan TPS application will not need to file a new Application for Temporary Protected Status (Form I- 821). DHS provides additional instructions in this Notice for individuals whose TPS applications remain pending and who would like to obtain an EAD valid through May 2, 2016.