DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE GRANTS 12-MONTH EXTENSION OF
TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS FOR NATIONALS OF SUDAN

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Department of Justice today announced a one-year extension to the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of Sudan. This extension, which covers approximately 552 Sudanese individuals, will be in effect from November 2, 2002 until November 2, 2003.

Section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act authorizes the Attorney General to grant TPS to aliens in the United States who are nationals of countries where armed conflict, natural disaster or other extraordinary conditions have created a temporary situation to which return is either unsafe or unfeasible. In the case of Sudan, an ongoing armed conflict might seriously threaten the personal safety of nationals returning to the country.

Re-registration is available only to individuals who registered under the initial Sudan TPS designation, which ends November 2, 2002. Nationals of Sudan who are currently registered under the TPS program must re-register during the 60-day period from August 30, 2002 through October 29, 2002. Under the extension, those who already have TPS will be eligible to reside and work in the United States for an additional year.

To re-register for the TPS extension, an applicant must submit Form I-821 (Application for Temporary Protected Status), Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) and two identification photographs to the local INS district office by October 29, 2002.

If the applicant is only seeking to re-register for TPS, there is no filing fee. However, all applicants who also seek an extension of employment authorization must submit a $120 filing fee with Form I-765 by October 29, 2002.

Applicants for an extension of TPS benefits do not need to submit new fingerprints nor the $50 fee. Children who are beneficiaries of this status and have reached the age of 14, but have not been previously fingerprinted, must pay the $50 fingerprint fee with their application for extension. Applicants may request a fee waiver in accordance with the regulations.

Nationals of Sudan (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Sudan) who previously have not applied for TPS may be eligible to apply under late initial registration provisions.

A late initial registrant must file a complete application package, including supporting documentation and all applicable fees, in accordance with the regulations. In addition to the requirements described above, a late initial registrant must submit the $50 processing fee with Form I-821 and, if 14 years of age or older, the $50 fingerprint fee.

TPS beneficiaries who need to travel outside the United States during the coming year must receive advance parole from their local INS office prior to departing the United States. Advance parole allows an individual to travel abroad and return to the United States, and is issued on a case-by-case basis. Individuals who are granted Temporary Protected Status may apply for advance parole by filing Form I-131 at their local INS district office.

All forms are available from the toll-free INS Forms line, 1-800-870-3676, or from the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) website at www.ins.gov.

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