Extension of the Designation of Haiti for Temporary Protected Status

Through this Notice, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announces that the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) is extending the designation of Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 6 months, from July 23, 2017, through January 22, 2018. The Secretary has determined that a limited, 6-month extension is warranted because, although Haiti has made significant progress in recovering from the January 2010 earthquake that prompted its initial designation, conditions in Haiti supporting its designation for TPS continue to be met at this time. The Secretary is committed to making TPS determinations that fully comply with the Immigration and Nationality Act and the intent of the program to provide a temporary form of immigration relief and protection to eligible individuals who cannot return to their home country due to ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions. This Notice also sets forth procedures necessary for nationals of Haiti (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Haiti) to re-register for TPS and to apply for renewal of their Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS will issue EADs with a January 22, 2018 expiration date to eligible Haiti TPS beneficiaries who timely re-register and apply for EADs under this extension. Provided a Haiti TPS beneficiary timely re-registers and properly files an application for an EAD during the 60-day re-registration period, his or her employment authorization will be automatically extended for an additional period not to exceed 180 days from the date the current EAD expires, i.e., January 18, 2018. See 8 CFR 274a.13(d)(1). TPS beneficiaries are reminded that, prior to January 22, 2018, the Secretary will re-evaluate the designation for Haiti and decide anew whether extension, redesignation, or termination is warranted. During this period, beneficiaries are encouraged to prepare for their return to Haiti in the event Haiti's designation is not extended again, including requesting updated travel documents from the Government of Haiti.