There are many different immigration policies that benefit people in different circumstances. There are visas available for students and skilled workers. Such programs allow those with special skills or a desire for education to legally enter the country.
There are opportunities for asylum or refugee status for those fleeing instability in another country. People can enter the United States seeking relief from conflict and persecution abroad. They can also petition the government to stay in the country because of instability back home.
Sometimes, changes in the political landscape of another country lead to new immigration protections for people from those countries. Conflicts in Ethiopia have put certain people from the country at risk if they should return. A recently announced change in policy could benefit visitors from Ethiopia currently staying in the United States.
What policies changed?
In response to continued social and political unrest in Ethiopia, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently extended a special designation in place for Ethiopian visitors. The continued fallout of regional conflicts involving militant groups creates an unstable political environment.
Depending on the region where someone lives, they could face various forms of persecution because of their ethnic background. Forcing people to return to Ethiopia now could put them at risk of persecution or worse. The USCIS has acted to protect those already lawfully in the country.
The Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Ethiopia is currently in effect and slated to last through at least December 12, 2025. This designation is the result of continued armed conflict in Ethiopia that has produced an unsafe environment for Ethiopians living abroad who may need to return home. Ethiopians who had already established residence in the United States as of April 11, 2024, may be eligible to secure TPS. Those who have since entered the country may not be eligible for TPS.
Students from Ethiopia studying in the United States with an F-1 visa may now be eligible for employment authorization and may be able to work more hours than the standard during the school year. They can even reduce the number of courses they take while retaining their F-1 status for as long as the TPS designation remains in effect.
Immigrants and lawful non-immigrant visitors can apply for TPS, or they can extend a TPS designation they previously received. Students can potentially adjust their work and class schedules in consideration of this shifting political climate back home. Tracking changes to Temporary Protected Status policies can be beneficial for those visiting from countries facing political instability.
