What’s Happening
On Thursday, Sept. 21, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) decided to extend the designation of Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for an additional 18 months, beginning on Nov. 21, 2023. This extension will allow Afghan nationals who have previously been granted TPS to retain that status through May 20, 2025, as long as they continue to meet TPS eligibility requirements.
The extension also allows potential first-time applicants and others who do not currently have TPS but have been continuously living in the U.S. since Sept. 20, 2023, to apply.
What This Means
TPS is a temporary immigration status that is granted to eligible nationals of select countries due to unsafe conditions. After the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in Aug. 2021, there has been continuous armed conflict and instability. Many Afghans have fled the country, leaving everything behind to seek safety in countries like the U.S. Requiring Afghan nationals to return to Afghanistan would pose a serious threat to their personal safety. The extension will benefit 3,100 current TPS holders and more than 14,600 Afghans who are recent arrivals, including opening access to work authorization.
What’s Next
While the extension will benefit thousands, it is not a pathway to permanent legal status. CAIR-CA calls on Congress to immediately pass the Afghan Adjustment Act to protect those seeking refuge in the United States.
If you need assistance registering for TPS, please call CAIR’s Immigrants’ Rights Center at (714) 776–1177 (ext. 1) or submit an inquiry here.