01 September 2000
Text: U.S. to End Temporary Protected Status for Aliens from Bosnia
(Designation will terminate on February 10, 2001) (850)
The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) announced August
30 that the designation of Bosnia-Herzegovina under the Temporary
Protected Status (TPS) program will be terminated on February 10,
2001. After that date, it said, aliens who are nationals of
Bosnia-Herzegovina, and aliens having no nationality who most recently
resided in Bosnia-Herzegovina, will no longer have that status.
An INS press release said the decision affects only those who were
granted temporary protected status under the Bosnia-Herzegovina
designation. The TPS designation for Kosovo ends on December 6, 2000.
Following is the text of the release, which provides details for
affected persons:
(begin text)
U.S. Department of Justice
Immigration and Naturalization Service
Washington, D.C.
August 30, 2000
TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA TO END
DESIGNATION WILL EXPIRE ON FEBRUARY 10, 2001
WASHINGTON - The Attorney General is terminating the designation of
Bosnia-Herzegovina under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program
after a final six-month extension. The Attorney General made this
decision after reviewing country conditions and consulting with the
appropriate government agencies. However, in order to comply with
statutory timeframes, designation of Bosnia-Herzegovina will be
extended for a final six months, until February 10, 2001, before it
can be terminated. After that date, aliens with TPS who are nationals
of Bosnia-Herzegovina (and aliens having no nationality who most
recently resided in Bosnia-Herzegovina) will no longer have that
status.
If I currently have TPS, how do I register for the six-month
extension?
Persons currently registered under TPS who desire an extension must
re-register by filing both the TPS application (Form I-821) and an
application for employment authorization (Form I-765) with their local
INS District Office. Applications for re-registration must be received
no later than September 30, 2000. For re-registration, there is no fee
for Form I-821. However, a $100 fee must accompany Form I-765 if an
applicant requests employment authorization. If the applicant does not
require employment authorization or already has employment
authorization, Form I-765 is still required but no fee is necessary.
These forms are available from the toll-free INS Forms line,
1-800-870-3676, and from the INS Web site, www.ins.usdoj.gov.
An applicant may request a waiver of TPS-related application fees by
submitting proper documentation of inability to pay.
What can I do if I feel that my return to Bosnia-Herzegovina is
unsafe?
The Attorney General has terminated the designation of
Bosnia-Herzegovina under the TPS program after February 10, 2001.
There may be other avenues of immigration relief available to aliens
who are nationals of Bosnia-Herzegovina (and aliens having no
nationality who last habitually resided in Bosnia-Herzegovina) in the
United States who believe that their particular circumstances make
return to Bosnia-Herzegovina unsafe. Such avenues may include, but are
not limited to, asylum or withholding of removal. In addition, these
nationals may also apply for any non-immigrant or immigrant visa for
which they qualify.
Can people with TPS travel outside of the country?
TPS registrants who need to travel outside the United States during
the final six months must receive advance parole from their INS office
prior to departing the United States. Failure to do so may jeopardize
their ability to return to the United States. Advance parole, which is
issued on a case-by-case basis, allows an individual to travel abroad
and return to the United States. Individuals who are granted TPS may
apply for advance parole by filing Form I-131 at their local INS
district office.
How does the termination of TPS affect former TPS beneficiaries?
After the designation of Bosnia-Herzegovina for TPS is terminated on
February 10, 2001, aliens who are nationals of Bosnia-Herzegovina (and
aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in
Bosnia-Herzegovina) will revert back to the immigration status they
had prior to TPS, unless they have been granted another immigration
status.
The stay of removal and eligibility for employment authorization due
to the designation of Bosnia-Herzegovina under the TPS program will no
longer be available. However, the termination of the TPS designation
for Bosnia-Herzegovina will not affect any pending applications for
other forms of immigration relief.
Those persons who received TPS under the Bosnia-Herzegovina
designation will begin to accrue unlawful presence as of February 10,
2001, if they have not been granted any other immigration benefit or
have no application for such a benefit pending. Under the 1996
Immigration Act, aliens who accrue 180 days to 364 days of unlawful
presence may be barred from admission to the United States for a
period of three years. Aliens who accrue 365 days or more of unlawful
presence may be barred from admission to the United States for a
period of 10 years.
Does this notice affect people granted TPS from the Kosovo Province?
No, this only affects those people who were granted TPS under the
Bosnia-Herzegovina designation. The TPS designation for the Kosovo
Province will continue until December 6, 2000 as previously announced
in the Federal Register.
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