Temporary Protected Status - SOMALIA

TPS Re-registration Deadline:  05/12/08
EAD Auto-extended Until:  09/17/08
TPS Expiration Date:  09/17/09

Filing Locations: The filing address depends on whether (1) you are re-registering during the registration period, (2) you are re-registering after the registration period, or (3) you are registering for TPS for the first time as a late initial registrant or were granted TPS by an Immigration Judge or the Board of Immigration Appeals.

(1) Re-registration during the Registration Period (March 12, 2008, to May 12, 2008): Submit your application to the USCIS Lockbox at:

     U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
      Attn:  TPS Somalia
      P.O. Box 8677
      Chicago, IL 60680-8677

Or, for courier deliveries:

     U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
      Attn: TPS Somalia
      131 S. Dearborn - 3rd Floor
      Chicago, IL 60603-5517

(2) Re-registration after the registration period ends (May 12, 2008):  The USCIS Lockbox cannot accept late re-registration applications from aliens from Somalia after the registration period has ended. If you believe you have good cause for your failure to timely file, you may submit your application with a letter explaining your situation to the Vermont Service Center at:

     Vermont Service Center
      Attn: TPS Good Cause Exception
      75 Lower Welden Street
      St. Albans, VT 05479-0001

(3) Registration for TPS for the first time as a late initial registrant or if you were granted TPS by an Immigration Judge or the Board of Immigration Appeals:  Send your application to the USCIS Lockbox:

     U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
      Attn:  TPS Somalia
      P.O. Box 8677
      Chicago, IL  60680-8677

     Or, for courier deliveries:

     U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
      Attn:  TPS Somalia
     131 S. Dearborn - 3rd Floor
     Chicago, IL 60603-5517     

If you were granted TPS by an Immigration Judge or the Board of Immigration Appeals, you must submit evidence of the grant of TPS (such as an order from the Immigration Judge) with your application. Your order must be final.

Aliens who are applying for re-registration and DO NOT need to submit supporting documentation with their applications may file electronically. To file your application electronically, follow the directions on this website.

Registration for TPS without employment authorization:
If you are only seeking to re-register for TPS and NOT requesting an EAD or applying for an extension of your EAD, you must still file Form I-765, but should NOT check any of the following boxes on this form in response to the question “I am applying for:”
  • Permission to accept employment;
  • Replacement;
  • Renewal of my permission to accept employment.
 If you are NOT applying for an EAD and incorrectly check any of these boxes without submitting applicable filing fee(s) with your I-765, the processing of your application may be delayed. No fee is required for the Form I-765 filed as part of TPS registration if employment authorization is not being requested. (Form I-821 has separate fee requirements.)

For minimal disruption of employment authorization while TPS re-registration applications are processed and new EADs (valid through September 17, 2009) are issued to eligible re-registrants, current EADs of eligible Somalis have been auto-extended through September 17, 2008.

Federal Register Notices
Extension 03/12/08 text 73 FR 13245
Announcements
DHS Announces 18-Month Extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Nationals of Somalia, 03/12/08
Q&A: DHS Extends Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalia for 18 Months, 03/12/08