Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Secretary, Kirstjen Nielsen, announced an extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 1,250 Yemeni beneficiaries.  This extension is somewhat unique in that (1) Yemen is one of seven countries listed in the travel ban and (2) this extension goes against the current trend of not extending TPS for other countries.

The highlights of the DHS release include:

Individuals from Yemen with TPS will be eligible to re-register for an extension of their status for 18 months, through March 3, 2020. Prior to the conclusion of the 18-month extension, the Secretary will review conditions in Yemen to determine whether its TPS designation should be extended again or terminated.

There are approximately 1,250 Yemeni TPS beneficiaries. This 18-month extension of Yemen’s designation for TPS permits current Yemeni TPS beneficiaries to re-register for TPS and remain in the United States with work authorization through March 3, 2020. To be eligible for TPS under Yemen’s current designation, along with meeting the other eligibility requirements, individuals must have continuously resided in the United States since January 4, 2017, and have been continuously physically present in the United States since March 4, 2017.

Further details about this extension for TPS, including information about the re-registration process and employment authorization documents, will appear in a Federal Register notice.

Read the full press release here.