The USCIS announced that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for citizens of Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia will end as of May 21, 2017. TPS for these countries was set to expire on November 21, 2016. The Secretary of DHS has determined that conditions in these countries have improved, so that TPS benefits are no longer required. To make the transition easier for TPS beneficiaries, the program will end six months after the current designation expires. Those affected will retain their TPS-based employment authorization documents through May 20, 2017, and must depart the United States by that date. Employers can rely on the Federal Register notices for I-9 compliance.
Links to the Federal Register notices can be found here:
- Temporary Protected Status Designated Country: Sierra Leone
- Temporary Protected Status Designated Country: Guinea
- Temporary Protected Status Designated Country: Liberia