Sudan Not Re-Designated for TPS

On September 18, 2017, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the acting Secretary of Homeland Security, Elaine C. Duke, has decided not to re-designate Sudan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) [PDF version]. This decision was based on her assessment that the conditions in Sudan no longer support its designation for TPS.

Duke opted to extend benefits to beneficiaries of Sudan TPS for twelve months as part of the wind-down process. The benefits for beneficiaries of Sudan TPS will expire on November 2, 2018. Current beneficiaries of Sudan TPS must re-register within the re-registration window to extend their benefits through November 2, 2018. Beneficiaries of Sudan TPS who re-register and request a new employment authorization document (EAD) will have their expiring EADs automatically extended for 180 days. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not yet published the details of the re-registration period in the Federal Register.

Sudan TPS beneficiaries who have an additional immigration status will be able to remain in the United States on such status after the expiration of their TPS. However, Sudan TPS beneficiaries with no additional status will have to depart the United States by November 2, 2018, if TPS was their only ground for being in the country legally. Sudan TPS beneficiaries should consult with an experienced immigration attorney for guidance on re-registration and maintaining or applying for a non-TPS status if they want to remain in the United States beyond November 2, 2018.

We will update this article with more information on the issue as it becomes available.