The Department of Homeland Security announced the extension and redesignation of Ethiopia for Temporary Protected Status for 18 months, from June 13, 2024, to Dec. 12, 2025.

Key Points:

  • The extension will allow currently eligible Ethiopian TPS beneficiaries to retain TPS through Dec. 12, 2025, provided they continue to meet eligibility requirements.
  • The redesignation will allow Ethiopian nationals or individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Ethiopia to file initial applications if they have continuously resided in the United States since April 11, 2024. Ethiopian nationals who were not residing in the United States as of April 11 are not eligible for TPS.
  • DHS published a Federal Register notice explaining the procedures necessary to re-register or submit an initial registration application and apply for an Employment Authorization Document.

Additional Information: Existing TPS beneficiaries who wish to extend their status through Dec. 12, 2025, must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period. In addition to demonstrating continuous residence in the United States since April 11, 2024, 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 June 13, 2024, the redesignation effective date.

BAL Analysis: Ethiopia was initially designated for TPS on Dec. 12, 2022, on the basis of extraordinary and temporary conditions that prevented nationals from returning safely. The extension and redesignation will allow additional eligible Ethiopian nationals to apply or reapply for TPS and TPS-related work authorization.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group.

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IMPACT – HIGH

Ethiopia has implemented a travel ban and other restrictions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Key Points:

  • Travelers from the following countries are not allowed to enter Ethiopia: Angola, Bahrain, Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, France, Gabon, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Kuwait, Lebanon, Madagascar, Mali, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, Spain, Sudan and Switzerland.
  • All travelers entering the country are subject to a 14-day quarantine at their own expense. Quarantined travelers will be checked and released after 14 days.
  • The immigration office is closed indefinitely; no new permit applications can be submitted.
  • The government has declared a state of emergency, restricting movement between all major cities and rural areas. Vehicle movement within the city is restricted on certain days.

Analysis & Comments: The travel ban and quarantine will affect the movement of people into Ethiopia. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The United States, the United Kingdom and other countries have warned against nonessential travel to Ethiopia following the government’s declaration of a state of emergency in October.

Key points:

  • The U.S. State Department warned against “all non-essential travel to Ethiopia due to ongoing unrest that has led to hundreds of deaths, thousands of arrests, as well as injuries and extensive property damage,” while the U.K.’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office warned against all travel to parts of the country and nonessential travel to other parts of Ethiopia.
  • Areas in the states of Amhara and Oromia and along the Eritrean border may be particularly dangerous. The U.S. warned that its ability to provide consular services in Ethiopia is limited because U.S. and other foreign diplomats are prohibited from traveling more than 40 kilometers outside of Addis Ababa, the capital, without first obtaining approval from the Ethiopian government.
  • Foreign nationals in Ethiopia have been urged to monitor the security situation and develop contingency plans to leave the country if necessary. Those in need of immigration services should expect delays and may wish to contact their home country’s embassy or consulate for the latest information before traveling to government offices.

Background: Protesters have been demonstrating in Ethiopia for months. The government declared a state of emergency Oct. 8, and has imposed curfews and placing restrictions on public demonstrations, social media and other communications. People who violate the decree may be arrested or searched without court order.

BAL Analysis: Foreign nationals should seriously consider delaying nonessential travel to Ethiopia until further notice. Those in Ethiopia should exercise caution, especially in areas considered by officials to be particularly dangerous. Companies with personnel in Ethiopia should account for all their employees. U.S. citizens may wish to enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, a free service that provides updated security information and allows Americans to register their trips abroad with the closest U.S. embassy or consulate.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact BerryApplemanLeiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.