According to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), “Since independence on 9 July 2011, South Sudan has struggled with good governance and nation building and has attempted to control rebel militia groups operating in its territory.” The CIA goes on to explain how “economic conditions have deteriorated since January 2012 when the government decided to shut down oil production following bilateral disagreements with Sudan.” Since December of 2013, the CIA says that conflict between the government and opposing forces has created a humanitarian crisis, which has led to the displacement of millions of South Sudanese – it’s also caused food insecurities. While a peace agreement was signed in August of 2015, in July of 2016, the fighting broke out again, “plunging the country back into conflict,” according to the CIA.
USCIS Extends Temporary Protected Status
On Sept. 18, 2017, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a press release entitled, “Temporary Protected Status for South Sudan Extended for 18 Months. In the release it says, “After consulting with the appropriate U.S. government agencies, and reviewing country conditions, acting Secretary [Elaine] Duke determined that an 18-month extension of South Sudan for TPS is necessary because the ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions that prompted the 2016 TPS resignation have persisted.” Here is a basic summary of the extension:
- If you are a current beneficiary of South Sudan’s TPS designation and you want to extend your TPS status, you will have to re-register.
- You can find the deadline at www.uscis.gov.tps.
- If you re-register and request a new employment authorization document (EAD), you may receive an automatic 180-day extension from the date your current EAD expires.
- If your EAD request is approved, your new EAD will expire on May 2, 2019.
- If you are a TAS beneficiary, you are strongly-encouraged to re-register and file your EAD application right away. Otherwise, you could experience a lapse in your employment authorization documentation.
To learn more about the extension for South Sudan nationals, contact our office to speak with a Plano immigration lawyer.