GoffWilson Immigration bLAWg

On March 29, 2012, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) announced the registration period for Temporary Protected Status for Syrian nationals is now open for a 180-day period that begins on March 29, 2012 and ends on September 25, 2012.  Syrian nationals (and persons without nationality who last habitually resided in Syria) must register for this status with USCIS.  Once registered, eligible Syrian nationals will not be removed from the United States and may request employment authorization.

To be eligible, Syrians must meet the individual requirements and demonstrate that they have continually resided and been continually physically present in the United States since March 29, 2012. Syria joins the following countries that are currently designated for TPS status:  El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan.

Upon application, Syrians with TPS designation will receive an Employment Authorization Document.  To employ a person with TPS, employers are still required to complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (Form I-9) and accept the reasonably genuine documentation that appears on the lists of accepted documents.  Employers may not request proof of Syrian citizenship when completing the I-9 Form.

If you have any questions, please contact our office.

Tagged: I-9, I-9 Compliance, I-9 Form, Syria, TPS, US Department of Homeland Security, Work Authorization