Designation of Sudan and Redesignation of South Sudan for Temporary Protected Status

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Designation of Sudan and Redesignation of South Sudan for Temporary Protected Status

March 2, 2022

On March 2, 2022, Secretary of Homeland Security Alexander Mayorkas announced the new designation of Sudan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. In the news release announcing the designation, Secretary Mayorkas stated that the designation was granted based on “ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions that prevent individuals from returning safely.” Individuals newly eligible for TPS under the Sudan designation must have continuously resided in the United States since March 1, 2022. This includes those who benefited from the previous TPS designation for Sudan, which required continuous residence in the United States on or before January 9, 2013.

The Secretary also announced the 18 month extension and redesignation of South Sudan for TPS which will be in effect from May 3, 2022 to November 3, 2023. To be eligible, individuals must have continuously resided in the United States since March 1, 2022, and meet all other TPS eligibility criteria. The extension of South Sudan allows currently eligible TPS South Sudan beneficiaries to re-register and retain TPS through November 3, 2023, so long as they otherwise continue to meet the TPS eligibility requirements. The redesignation of South Sudan allows additional individuals who have been continuously residing in the United States since March 1, 2022, to obtain TPS, if otherwise eligible.

A country may be designated for TPS when the Secretary of Homeland Security determines that conditions in the country temporarily prevent the country’s nationals from returning safely. The Secretary may designate a country for TPS due to temporary conditions such as: ongoing armed conflict, an environmental disaster, an epidemic, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions. Once a country has been designated for TPS, individuals who are TPS beneficiaries or eligible for TPS are not removable from the United States and can obtain employment authorization and/or travel authorization. Individuals granted TPS also may not be detained on the basis of their immigration status.

TAGS: South Sudan, Sudan, TPS