The Biden Administration announced a major expansion of the Temporary Protect Status for Ukrainians residing in the U.S.
This was confirmed by U.S. officials on Friday, Aug. 18. But, what does the expansion mean for Ukrainians?
Biden Admin Expands Temporary Protected Status For Ukrainians in US
Anti-war demonstrators and Ukrainians living in the U.S. protest against Russia's military operation in Ukraine in Lafayette Park on February 24, 2022, in Washington, DC. Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24th.
According to Time Magazine's latest report, the major Temporary Protected Status expansion could make over 166,000 Ukrainians eligible.
This is a drastic increase compared to the current scope of the temporary legal status, which only covers 26,000 Ukrainians.
For those who are not familiar with it, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is the program of the U.S. government that allows migrants to stay in the United States when their home countries are deemed unsafe.
But, it doesn't mean that TPS can offer citizenships to affected nationals. Instead, the U.S. government can extend this status depending on the situation of their countries.
In the latest TPS expansion, Ukrainians who have been in the U.S. since Aug. 16 are eligible.
"The Secretary is also redesignating Ukraine for TPS. The redesignation of Ukraine allows additional Ukrainian nationals who have been continuously residing in the United States since August 16, 2023," said the Homeland Security Department.
TPS Expansion's Details
US Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden gestures as he speaks during a campaign event at the William "Hicks" Anderson Community Center in Wilmington, Delaware on July 28, 2020.
Recently, the TPS offered for Ukrainian nationals was supposed to expire on Oct. 19. However, the Homeland Security Department announced that this deadline has been adjusted.
The Temporary Protected Status for these nationals has been extended for 18 months. This means that their TPS will last until April 19, 2025.
DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas explained that the ongoing military activities of Russia in Ukraine and the country's humanitarian crisis require the U.S. to take action.
He said that the U.S. government must offer safety and protection to Ukrainians who are having a hard time (or can't go back at all) returning to their beloved country.
Aside from Ukrainians, the TPS for Sudanese nationals was also expanded. The Biden Admin added 2,750 more, bringing the total to 3,950.
In the case of Sudanese nationals' TPS, the expansion is the 16th extension since 1997.
Since the Temporary Protected Status offered by the U.S. government to nationals has been debated by Americans, the latest TPS expansion will surely make some U.S. residents angry or disappointed.
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