Extension of Rwanda TPS
Fm Cmmr (HQPGM) JINS WASHDC
To All Regional Directors
All Officers in Charge (Including Foreign)
All District Directors (Including Foreign)
All Service Center Directors
All CPA Border Patrol Section Headquarters
Dir ODTF Artesia
Dir ODTF Glynco
BT
Unclas
All RoDirs: Attn RoAdn, Rocou
All DiDirs: Attn DiExam, DIINV, DiDDP
All OICS: All CPAS; Dir ODTF
Subject: 6-Months Extension of TPS for Rwanda
Reregistration; Late Initial Registration
1. Attorney General has determined that TPS for Rwanda will be extended for a 6 month period until 6 December 1996. This extension will be announced in the Federal Register within a few days. Starting immediately, officers should grant Rwandan TPS extensions valid until 06 December 1996.
2. Starting on the date of this wire, even before Federal Register publication of the notice, Rwandan TPS registrants may submit reregistration applications. The 30-day reregistration period specified by regulation will start on the day of Federal Register publication.
3. Because this extension action comes at the very end of the previously granted period of TPS, local offices are urged to facilitate TPS extension adjudications and EAD issuance on a walk-in basis. For the same reason, all Rwandan TPS extension applications filed by the end of the 30-day reregistration period should be adjudicated as promptly as possible.
4. In addition to the 30-day reregistration period specified by the Federal Register notice, late reregistration continues to be liberally excusable.
5. Current Rwandan TPS registrants who desire an extension must file an application for temporary protected status, Form I-821, without fee, together with an application for employment authorization, Form I-765. A fee of $70.00 must accompany Form I-765, unless a properly documented fee waiver is submitted or the applicant does not request employment authorization. All TPS applications and related applications for employment authorization must continue to be filed at local INS offices at this time.
6. In EAD Processing, key-in the new TPS expiration date of “12/06/96” for Rwanda. EADs stand-alone software release V4.7 must have been installed to allow adjudication and EAD Card issuance for these TPS extensions. To obtain the proper software version or for other software problems call the INS help desk at 202/514-1851.
7. For those aliens not requesting employment authorization, officers in local offices are to issue a new Form I-94 or extend the prior TPS I-94 with the TPS extension expiration date indicated in an appropriate manner. However, you must key all I-765 data into the EAD system for all TPS applicants including those who are issued or extended with an I-94. In I-94 cases, do not issue an I- 688B card and destroy the camera-ready card if one is generated.
8. All TPS applicant must be given notice via a properly completed Form M-340 for initial registration approvals or via Form M-344 for initial registration approvals or via Form M-344 for initial registration denials or subsequent withdrawals.
9. All Rwandan TPS registrants must have been “continuously physically present” in the United States since 07 June 1994. Refer to 8 CFR 240.17 for additional information on reregistration.
10. For applicants meeting the physical presence requirement, initial registration after the original one- year registration period is allowed in limited circumstances. The requirements for such “late initial registration” during a period of TPS extension are set by 8 CFR 240.2(f)(2).
11. The Attorney General has extended Rwandan TPS for only a 6 month period which may or may not be extended further. Any future termination of Rwandan TPS would be based on a determination that TPS was no longer appropriate for Rwandans in general. Rwandans who believe that their particular circumstances would make return to Rwanda unsafe may wish to pursue other avenues of immigration relief including asylum.
12. The office of field operations has concurred with this wire, questions regarding the implementation of this TPS extensions may be directed through appropriate supervisory channels to HQBEN (formerly HQADN), Attn: Ron Chirlin, Adjudications Officer, 202-514-5014.