The Department of Homeland Security redesignated Syrian nationals for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Temporary Protected Status is a status used by the government to halt the deportation of persons in the United States from countries where there is some sort of disaster or civil strife. USCIS designated Syria after the beginning of its civil war in 2011. The country has been redesignated twice after its initial designation. El Salvador, Haiti, and Syria are among the countries currently designated by USCIS.
The designation ends on September 30, 2016, unless the government redesignates Syria. Syrian nationals who were already granted the designation must reapply for redesignation by March 5, 2015. Nationals applying for the designation for the first time must apply by July 6, 2015. For eligibility criteria, please visit this link. Among the criteria is the nationality of the country of designation presence in the United States, and continuous presence since the day of designation. Applicants granted TPS may not be removed or detained by the government for being present illegally. Persons granted this designation may be granted travel documents.
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