The American Coalition for Syria (ACS) welcomes the successful extension and redesignation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Syria for 18 months, from April 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. The Biden administration made this decision due to the ongoing armed conflict, large-scale destruction of infrastructure, widespread civilian casualties, persistent human rights abuses and violations, and the dire humanitarian crisis in Syria – all of which prevent individuals from safely returning to the country. This significant development was achieved through an advocacy campaign led by ACS and the TPS-DED AAC Coalition.
ACS and 50 national, state and local organizations urged the 18-month extension and redesignation of TPS for Syria. The coalition delivered a letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, the Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, and the White House, emphasizing the extraordinary and temporary conditions in Syria resulting from the February 2023 earthquakes, the recent increase in armed clashes and bombings, cholera outbreaks, a humanitarian funding crisis, and a decade of violence and gross human rights abuses by the Assad regime.
The legal tool of TPS offers life-saving protection and humanitarian relief to non-citizens in the U.S., including undocumented immigrants, who are unable to safely return to their home country due to certain conditions in that country that meet the statutory criteria for TPS. There are approximately 6,200 Syrian TPS beneficiaries in the United States. This extension allows the current beneficiaries to retain TPS through September 30, 2025. Legal Affairs Director of ACS member organization, the Syrian American Council (SAC), Sameer Saboungi, emphasized that "Renewing and extending their TPS protects their safety and well-being and enables them to continue rebuilding their lives and serving their local communities."
Moreover, the redesignation enables an estimated 2,000 additional Syrian nationals to file initial applications, provided they have continuously resided in the U.S. since January 25, 2024. The Department of Homeland Security also announced a Special Student Relief notice for Syrian F-1 nonimmigrant students so that they may request employment authorization, work an increased number of hours, and reduce their course load while maintaining F-1 status through September 30, 2025.
ACS recognizes and thanks the Biden administration’s commitment to humanitarian relief and recognition of Syria's ongoing challenges. The coalition will continue its advocacy efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of Syrian TPS holders and all Syrians in the United States.
