CDS Applauds DHS for Extending and Redesignating Syria for Temporary Protected Status
Washington D.C (PRWEB) January 05, 2015 -- The Coalition for a Democratic Syria (CDS) would like to express appreciation to the United States Department of Homeland Security for the extension and redesignation of Temporary Protected Status for the country of Syria. This step, which was in part a response to a request filed by CDS and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) in December, will allow thousands of Syrians to safely and legally remain and work in the United States without fear of deportation or punishment.
This decision extends and redesignates Syria for TPS for 18 months, from April 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016, allowing currently eligible TPS beneficiaries to retain TPS through September 30, 2016, so long as they otherwise continue to meet the eligibility requirements for TPS.
As a coalition of Syrian American organizations, CDS includes Syrians of all backgrounds and faiths, who rely on legal status in America to work as activists, humanitarians, and political advocates in the context of the Syrian crisis. In order to relay the process for initial registration and re-registration, CDS will be holding an instructive webinar within the next few weeks. Another communication will be sent to this mailing list once the date is set.
“This is a major step, and we want to thank the US government,” said CDS board member and Syrian Emergency Task Force President Dr. Mohammed Khawam. “Because of TPS, Syrians can feel safe and secure in the United States, as well as free to organize and communicate around resolving the Syrian conflict. To know that our countrymen and women have a safe haven in our home country is incredibly gratifying, and confirms that the United States will honor commitments to our community.”
The Coalition for a Democratic Syria is a group of Syrian-American non-profit organizations working together to bring about a swift end to the conflict and support the establishment of peace, freedom, and democracy in Syria. The CDS is a multi-ethnic, multi-confessional, non-partisan organization. The CDS includes: Syrian Emergency Task Force, United for Free Syria, Syrian American Council, Syrian Christians for Peace, and Association of Free Syrians.
Evan Barrett , Media Contact, United for a Free Syria, http://unitedfreesyria.org, +1 240-507-4215, [email protected]
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