By African Communities Together
Photos: Facebook\YouTube Screenshots
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Friday, the Biden Administration announced that it will extend and redesignate temporary protected status (TPS) for Ethiopia for an additional 18 months, from June 13, 2024, to December 12, 2025. The redesignation allows eligible Ethiopian nationals residing in the United States as of April 11, 2024 to apply for TPS. The redesignation and extension also includes a Special Student Relief notice.
“Ethiopian nationals in the United States have fought hard for this win! We thank the administration for the redesignation and extension of TPS for Ethiopia and the quick posting of the Federal Registry notice. We are excited to work collaboratively with the administration and other advocacy groups to ensure that the community is supported in registering and re-registering for TPS!” Nils Kinuani, Policy Manager, African Communities Together
“We applaud the Biden Administration for its decision to provide an 18-month extension and redesignation of TPS for Ethiopia,” said ECDC President and CEO Dr. Tsehaye Teferra.“This welcome news will provide great relief to thousands of Ethiopian nationals who deserve protection as Ethiopia is beset by multiple conflicts and humanitarian crises.”
Approximately 2,300 Ethiopians currently have TPS. They must reapply for TPS between April 15th, through June 14th 2024 to continue receiving protection.
“We are pleased with the administration’s decision to provide an 18-month TPS extension, and redesignation for Ethiopia. With the dire conditions in Ethiopia, the designation brings enormous relief and we are grateful that the many Ethiopian citizens in the United States can continue to live out their lives freely without the fear of deportation. Designations like these demonstrate the administration’s commitment to racial justice and working towards reducing the inequities in our immigration system, particularly for black and brown immigrants.” Kalyani Menon, Coordinator, TPS-DED AAC.
“CUSP acknowledges the redesignation of TPS for Ethiopia. Given the current crises Ethiopia is experiencing including escalating armed conflict, widespread mass displacement, devastating drought and climate shocks, and severe food insecurity, Communities United for Status & Protection (CUSP) see this extension and redesignation as a necessity to protect lives from danger, ” said Carolyn Tran, Executive Director of Communities United for Status and Protection (CUSP), “Our advocacy and organizing will continue to ensure those who are eligible are able to acquire and maintain TPS. And we will not rest until certainty in green cards becomes a reality because waiting every 2 years for DHS to declare your fate is not thriving.”
Ethiopia has been in crisis since the end of 2020, when conflict broke out in the northernmost region of Tigray. The two-year-long war resulted in numerous atrocities and war crimes. Despite the formal end of the war with the signing of a peace agreement between the federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in Pretoria, South Africa, on November 2, 2022, conditions in the region have not improved to a level that makes return safe. On September 7, 2023, President Biden issued a Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency concerning Ethiopia, declaring that “The situation in and in relation to northern Ethiopia, which has been marked by activities that threaten the peace, security, and stability of Ethiopia and the greater Horn of Africa region, continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.”
Earlier this month, a coalition of 117 local, national, and international organizations delivered a letter to the administration calling for a swift extension and redesignation of TPS. This comes following months of advocacy by grassroots organizations to educate and inform Ethiopian communities about TPS and encourage benefits for them and their families. Advocates also received support from members of Congress who, led by Reps. Madeleine Dean and Don Beyer, sent a letter to the administration urging an extension and redesignation.
About African Communities Together
African Communities Together is an organization of African immigrants fighting for civil rights, opportunity, and a better life for African families in the U.S. and worldwide. ACT connects African immigrants to critical services, helps Africans develop as leaders, and organizes African immigrant communities on the issues that matter.
Twitter/Instagram: @AfricansUS
Facebook: facebook.com/AfricansUS
Website: www.africans.us
About ECDC
ECDC, a national refugee resettlement agency headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, has been working on behalf of refugees and immigrants since 1983. One of 10 national resettlement agencies authorized by the U.S. Department of State to resettle refugees, ECDC has to date resettled 80,000 newcomers through its 25 affiliates and branch offices in 18 states across the U.S.
Website: www.ecdcus.org
Facebook: facebook.com/ECDCUS.org/
Tel. (703) 685-0510
