The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced an extension and redesignation for Syrian Temporary Protected Statuses (TPS). They will receive an additional 18 months to their TPS. This timeframe will run from April 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025. Furthermore, it will provide eligible individuals with employment authorization through the extended timeframe.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) commented on this decision. The USCIS explained that the extended TPS status is due to the ongoing civil war within Syria. The agency detailed related concerns such as the destruction of infrastructure, human rights abuses, food insecurity, and a lack of access to health care and clean water. 

Further exacerbating the situation was the earthquake on February 6, 2023. This earthquake significantly stressed the country’s already overwhelmed healthcare system. According to reports, it worsened the infrastructure and further harmed the economy.

The redesignation of Syria-eligible individuals allows them to apply for TPS and employment authorization. Eligible individuals include Syrian nationals and those without nationality who last habitually resided in Syria. However, they must have continuously lived in the U.S. since January 25, 2024, and meet other criteria to qualify. Interested individuals must submit an Application for Temporary Protected Status (Form I-821) and an Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765).

Anyone applying for an employment authorization document (EAD) may submit it with an initial application or send it later. Current TPS beneficiaries may re-register for TPS and employment authorization. They can do so between January 29, 2024, through March 29, 2024.

The DHS understands that many registrants may not receive a new EAD before their current expires. As such, the DHS will automatically extend the expiration date of existing EADs under the associated Federal Register notice. This decision means EADs issued under prior designations for Syria will have an extension through March 31, 2025.

Employers presented with an EAD related to TPS for Syria when the employee first began may need to re-examine the employee’s EAD. For example, they should do so if they did not retain a copy of the TPS that would have determined whether the beneficiary received an automatic extension. When determining whether an EAD received the extension, employers should verify it is a Category A-12 or C-19. After confirming this information, they should check the card’s expiration date for March 31, 2024, or September 31, 2021. 

As such developments illustrate, employers must regularly perform the employment eligibility verification (Form I-9) process. One way to ensure consistent compliance is by transitioning from paper forms to digital. An electronic I-9 management system can automate the I-9 process, guiding through each step, providing electronic storage for all forms, and alerting employers when to take action.

Automate your employment eligibility verification today with the ensured compliance of I-9 Compliance.

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