The Department of Homeland Security has extended and redesignated Somalia for Temporary Protected Status for 18 months, from March 18, 2023 to September 17, 2024. TPS is granted to certain groups of people in the wake of natural disasters, wars, outbreaks of disease, and other catastrophes that would make it difficult for them to return safely to their home countries. Government officials periodically review the program to decide whether to extend it, and most groups have received regular extensions in the past. To learn more about TPS, please click here.
Current Somali TPS beneficiaries will need to re-register to extend their status and work authorization, and newly eligible Somalis residing in the United States as of January 11, 2023, will need to apply for initial TPS and employment authorization within the designated registration period. Somalis entering the United States after January 11, 2023 are not eligible for TPS. DHS will announce the re-registration and initial registration periods and provide details on the eligibility criteria and application process in an upcoming Federal Register notice.
