Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements

DOJ Press Release on Termination of TPS for Angolans

2/28/03 AILA Doc. No. 03030470. Temporary Protected Status & Deferred Enforced Departure

U.S. Department of Justice
Immigration and Naturalization Service

NEWS RELEASE

February 28, 2003

Attorney General Terminates Temporary Protected Status For Nationals of Angola

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Department of Justice today announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of Angola.  As of March 29, 2003, individuals who are nationals of Angola (and others having no nationality who last habitually resided in Angola) and have had TPS under the Angola program will no longer have such status.  Approximately 316 individuals who currently receive benefits under the Angola TPS designation will be affected.

Section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act authorizes the Attorney General to grant TPS to aliens in the United States who are nationals of countries that are subject to ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or extraordinary and temporary conditions.   A recent review of conditions within Angola by the Departments of Justice and State indicates that recent events have brought an end to the armed conflict.  The situation in the country presents conditions that do not warrant a continuation of TPS.  The review concluded that Angolan nationals may return safely to the country at this time.  

For those individuals who believe that their particular circumstances make return to Angola unsafe, they may apply for other forms of protection such as, but not limited to, asylum, withholding of removal, or protection under Article 3 of the Torture Convention.

Upon the termination of TPS status, former beneficiaries return to the same immigration status they maintained before (unless that status has since expired or been terminated), or to any other status they may have acquired while registered for TPS.  Accordingly, if an individual maintained no lawful status prior to receiving TPS benefits, and did not obtain any other status during the TPS period, he or she will revert to that unlawful status upon the termination of that designation.  Such individuals are expected to depart the United States on or before March 29, 2003.  Those who fail to comply with this requirement may be subject to removal. Former TPS beneficiaries will no longer be eligible for a stay of removal or a work authorization document pursuant to the program.  TPS-related work authorization documents expire on March 29, 2003 and will not be renewed.

Termination of the TPS designation for Angola does not necessarily affect pending applications for other forms of immigration relief or protection. Former beneficiaries may begin to accrue unlawful presence as of March 29, 2003 if they have not been granted any other immigration status or protection, or if they have no ending application for certain benefits. Individuals who accrue certain periods of unlawful presence in the United States may be barred from admission to the United States for a specified period of time.

- INS - 

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