INS PRESS RELEASE

June 8, 1999

U.S. Expands and Extends Temporary Protected Status
For Kosovars Already in the United States

WASHINGTON – Attorney General Janet Reno today announced the redesignation and extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for residents of Kosovo Province as part of the Administration’s multi-faceted humanitarian response to the tragedy that is engulfing the region. The redesignation expands the program to include Kosovars who resided in the United States as of June 8, 1999. Previously, only those who were in the United States as of June 9, 1998, could have been eligible. In addition, the Attorney General has extended the initial designation for an additional year—until June 8, 2000. TPS for residents of Kosovo Province was originally set to expire today.

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 armed conflict, natural disaster or other extraordinary conditions.

The TPS program will allow qualified Kosovars to remain and work in the United States for the duration of the program. INS estimates that no more than 8,000 Kosovars currently reside in the United States and are eligible for TPS.

All residents of Kosovo Province applying for TPS must file two forms with the INS: a TPS application (Form I-821) and an application for employment authorization (Form I-765). The latter must be filed for documentation purposes even if the applicant does not plan to work in the United States.

Under the redesignation, first-time applicants must pay a fee of $50 with Form I-821 and $100 with Form I-765, unless the applicant does not want authorization to work in the United States, and $25 for fingerprinting.

Under the extension, Kosovars who already have TPS from the initial designation must file Form I-821 without fee and I-765 with $100, unless the applicant does not want authorization to work in the United States.

A waiver request may be submitted for either the initial or renewal fees. Information on how to apply for fee waivers can be found on the Internet at www.ins.usdoj.gov or by contacting a local INS office.

Supplemental Form I-821A contains directions on where to file applications for the redesignation and extension of TPS for Kosovo. TPS registration procedures have changed since the initial designation of Kosovo. Applicants will be able to order forms from the INS Forms Line, 1-800-870-3676, or download them from the INS Web site at www.ins.usdoj.gov, and mail in the applications. Under this new procedure, applicants may not be required to visit their local INS district office during the TPS registration process.

– INS –