On January 12th, 2023, Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro N. Mayorkas, made an announcement discussing the eighteen-month extension of temporary protected status (TPS) for Somalia. The extension will run from March 18th, 2023, up until September 17th, 2024. Along with the extension, Secretary Mayorkas redesignated Somalia for TPS allowing individual residents who have been in the United States since January 11th, 2023, to be eligible to petition for temporary protected status if they meet all of the eligibility requirements. This is all a result of the continuing conflicts and violent circumstances in Somalia which make it a dangerous place to return to.
Secretary Mayorkas made his decision regarding the extension following discussions with interagency partners during which they carefully evaluated the current realities in Somalia. The ongoing violence has made an already serious humanitarian problem worse, accompanied with natural disasters and disease outbreaks, as well as terrorism and violent crimes, civil turmoil, and clashes between clan militias, all which continue to afflict Somalia. All of the following issues make it nearly impossible for Somali nationals and longtime inhabitants to securely return home, therefore they are being offered protection by the United States.
The extension and redesignation of TPS allows roughly 3000 Somali nationals to either continue to fulfill their TPS eligibility standards and requirements or submit first time applications if they are qualified.
