TPS for Cameroon Extended, Redesignated

This document is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on 10/10/2023 - "Through this notice, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announces that the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) is extending the designation of Cameroon for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, beginning on December 8, 2023, and ending on June 7, 2025. This extension allows existing TPS beneficiaries to retain TPS through June 7, 2025, so long as they otherwise continue to meet the eligibility requirements for TPS. Existing TPS beneficiaries who wish to extend their status through June 7, 2025, must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period described in this notice. The Secretary is also redesignating Cameroon for TPS. The redesignation of Cameroon allows additional Cameroonian nationals (and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Cameroon) who have been continuously residing in the United States since October 5, 2023, to apply for TPS for the first time during the initial registration period described under the redesignation information in this notice. In addition to demonstrating continuous residence in the United States since October 5, 2023, and meeting other eligibility criteria, initial applicants for TPS under this designation must demonstrate that they have been continuously physically present in the United States since December 8, 2023, the effective date of this redesignation of Cameroon for TPS. DATES: Extension of Designation of Cameroon for TPS: The 18-month designation of Cameroon for TPS begins on December 8, 2023, and will remain in effect for 18 months, ending on June 7, 2025. The extension impacts existing beneficiaries of TPS. Re-registration: The 60-day re-registration period for existing beneficiaries runs from [INSERT DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER] through [INSERT DATE 60 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. (Note: It is important for re-registrants to timely re-register during the registration period and not to wait until their Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) expire, as delaying re-registration could result in gaps in their employment authorization documentation.) Redesignation of Cameroon for TPS: The 18-month redesignation of Cameroon for TPS begins on December 8, 2023, and will remain in effect for 18 months, ending on June 7, 2025. The redesignation impacts potential first-time applicants and others who do not currently have TPS. First-time Registration: The initial registration period for new applicants under the Cameroon TPS redesignation begins on [INSERT DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER] and will remain in effect through June 7, 2025."

This document is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on 10/10/2023 - "This notice announces that the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) is suspending certain regulatory requirements for F-1 nonimmigrant students whose country of citizenship is Cameroon, regardless of country of birth (or individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Cameroon), and who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the current armed conflict and current humanitarian crisis in Cameroon. The Secretary is taking action to provide relief to these Cameroonian students who are in lawful F-1 nonimmigrant student status, so the students may request employment authorization, work an increased number of hours while school is in session, and reduce their course load while continuing to maintain their F-1 nonimmigrant student status. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will deem an F-1 nonimmigrant student granted employment authorization by means of this notice to be engaged in a “full course of study” for the duration of the employment authorization, if the nonimmigrant student satisfies the minimum course load requirement described in this notice. DATES: This action is effective December 8, 2023, through June 7, 2025."