On April 12, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security announced the extension and redesignation of Ethiopia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months from June 13, 2024, through December 12, 2025, with a notice in the Federal Register.
What to Expect
- The extension of TPS for Ethiopia allows current beneficiaries to re-register to retain TPS through December 12, 2025, if they otherwise continue to meet the eligibility requirements for TPS.
- Existing TPS beneficiaries who wish to extend their status through December 12, 2025, must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period.
- The redesignation of Ethiopia for TPS allows additional Ethiopian nationals (and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Ethiopia) to file initial applications to obtain TPS if they established residence in the United States on or before April 11, 2024, and have continued to reside in the United States since then (“continuous residence”).
Employment Authorization for TPS
- DHS recognizes that not all re-registrants may receive a new Employment Authorization Document (EAD) before their current EAD expires and is automatically extending through June 12, 2025, the validity of EADs previously issued under Ethiopia’s TPS designation.
- USCIS will continue to process pending applications filed under previous TPS designations for Ethiopia. Individuals with a pending Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, or a related Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, as of April 15, 2024, do not need to file either application again. If USCIS approves a pending Form I-821 or Form I-765 filed under the previous designation of TPS for Ethiopia, USCIS will grant the individual TPS through Dec. 12, 2025, and issue an EAD valid through the same date.
The Federal Register notice explains the procedures necessary for an individual to re-register under the extension or submit an initial application under the redesignation and to apply for an EAD.
Erickson Insights and Analysis
DHS will plan and coordinate outreach opportunities to provide information and answer questions from the public regarding the extension and redesignation of Ethiopia for TPS. Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions.