The Bureau of U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services announced Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Designated for the Syrian Arab Republic. This allows eligible Syrian nationals (and persons without nationality who last habitually resided in Syria) in the United States to apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). This means that Syrians will not be removed from the United States, and may request employment authorization.

The designation went into effect at the end of March and will run until Spetember 2013. However, you must file an application for TPS by September 25, 2012 to qualify. An indiviaul must meet all individual requirements for TPS, including, but not limited to, demonstrating he or she has continually resided and been continually physically present in the United States on or before March 29, 2012. Those who apply for TPS will undergo a thorough security check. It is important to keep in mind that individuals with criminal records or who pose a threat to national security are not eligible for TPS and their applications will be denied.

If you believe you qualify for TPS it is important to consult an attorney as soon as possible to make sure your application is properly filed within the registration period and has the appropriate supporting evidence.