[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 181 (Monday, September 22, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45398-45403]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-18322]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
[CIS No. 2831-25; DHS Docket No. USCIS-USCIS-2013-0001]
RIN 1615-ZB72
Termination of the Designation of Syria for Temporary Protected
Status
AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Department
of Homeland Security (DHS).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: Through this notice, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
announces that the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) is
terminating the designation of Syria for Temporary Protected Status.
The designation of Syria is set to expire on September 30, 2025. After
reviewing country conditions and consulting with appropriate U.S.
Government agencies, the Secretary determined that Syria no longer
continues to meet the conditions for the designation for Temporary
Protected Status. The Secretary, therefore, is terminating the
Temporary Protected Status designation of Syria as required by statute.
This termination is effective November 21, 2025. After November 21,
2025, nationals of Syria (and aliens having no nationality who last
habitually resided in Syria) who have been granted Temporary Protected
Status under Syria's designation will no longer have Temporary
Protected Status.
DATES: The designation of Syria for Temporary Protected Status is
terminated, effective at 11:59 p.m., local time, on November 21, 2025.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Humanitarian Affairs Division, Office
of Policy and Strategy, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services,
Department of Homeland Security, (240) 721-3000.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
List of Abbreviations
CFR--Code of Federal Regulations
DHS--U.S. Department of Homeland Security
EAD--Employment Authorization Document
FR--Federal Register
FRN--Federal Register Notice
Government--U.S. Government
INA--Immigration and Nationality Act
Secretary--Secretary of Homeland Security
State--Department of State
USCIS--U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
U.S.C.--United States Code
What is temporary protected status?
The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) authorizes the Secretary
of Homeland Security, after consultation with appropriate agencies of
the U.S. Government, to designate a foreign state (or part thereof) for
Temporary Protected Status if the Secretary determines that certain
country conditions exist. See INA sec. 244(b)(1), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1).
The Secretary, in her discretion, may grant Temporary Protected Status
to eligible nationals of that foreign state (or aliens having no
nationality who last habitually resided in the designated foreign
state). See INA sec. 244(a)(1)(A), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(a)(1)(A).
At least 60 days before the expiration of a foreign state's
Temporary Protected Status designation or extension, the
[[Page 45399]]
Secretary--after consultation with appropriate U.S. Government
agencies--must review the conditions in the foreign state designated
for Temporary Protected Status to determine whether the conditions for
the Temporary Protected Status designation continue to be met. See INA
sec. 244(b)(3)(A), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(A). If the Secretary determines
that the conditions in the foreign state continue to meet the specific
statutory criteria for the designation, Temporary Protected Status will
be extended for an additional period of 6 months or, in the Secretary's
discretion, 12 or 18 months. See INA sec. 244(b)(3)(A), (C), 8 U.S.C.
1254a(b)(3)(A), (C). If the Secretary determines that the foreign state
no longer meets the conditions for Temporary Protected Status
designation, the Secretary must terminate the designation. See INA sec.
244(b)(3)(B), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(B). There is no judicial review of
``any determination of the [Secretary] with respect to the designation,
or termination or extension of a designation of a foreign state'' for
Temporary Protected Status. See INA sec. 244(b)(5)(A), 8 U.S.C.
1254a(b)(5)(A).
Temporary Protected Status is a temporary immigration benefit
granted to eligible nationals of a country designated by the Secretary
for Temporary Protected Status under the INA, or to eligible aliens
without nationality who last habitually resided in the designated
country. During the designation period, Temporary Protected Status
beneficiaries are eligible to remain in the United States, may not be
removed, and are authorized to work and obtain an Employment
Authorization Document (EAD) so long as they continue to meet the
requirements of Temporary Protected Status. Temporary Protected Status
beneficiaries may also apply for and be granted travel authorization as
a matter of discretion. The granting of Temporary Protected Status does
not result in or lead to lawful permanent resident status or any other
immigration status. To qualify for Temporary Protected Status,
beneficiaries must meet the eligibility standards at INA section
244(c)(2), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(c)(2) in accordance with the implementing
regulations at 8 CFR parts 244 and 1244. When the Secretary terminates
a country's designation, beneficiaries return to the same immigration
status or category that they maintained before Temporary Protected
Status, if any (unless that status or category has since expired or
been terminated), or any other lawfully obtained immigration status or
category they received while registered for Temporary Protected Status,
as long as it is still valid on the date Temporary Protected Status
terminates.
Designation of Syria for Temporary Protected Status
Syria was initially designated for Temporary Protected Status on
March 29, 2012, based on a determination that there were extraordinary
and temporary conditions in Syria that prevented nationals of Syria
from returning in safety and that permitting such aliens to remain
temporarily in the United States would not be contrary to the national
interest of the United States.\1\ Following the initial designation,
the former Secretary extended and newly designated Syria for Temporary
Protected Status three times based on ongoing armed conflict and
extraordinary and temporary conditions: (1) from October 1, 2013
through March 31, 2015,\2\ (2) from April 1, 2015 through September 30,
2016,\3\ and (3) from October 1, 2016 through March 31, 2018.\4\ The
Department referred to these actions as redesignations in the published
Federal Register notices. Thereafter, the former Secretary extended
Temporary Protected Status for Syria from April 1, 2018 through
September 30, 2019,\5\ and again from October 1, 2019 through March 31,
2021.\6\ The former Secretary extended and newly designated Temporary
Protected Status for Syria from March 31, 2021 through September 30,
2022,\7\ and from October 1, 2022 through March 31, 2024 \8\ based on
ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions. Most
recently, former Secretary Mayorkas extended Syria's designation and
newly designated Syria for Temporary Protected Status based on ongoing
armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions from April 1,
2024 to September 30, 2025.\9\
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\1\ Designation of Syrian Arab Republic for Temporary Protected
Status, 77 FR 19026 (Mar. 29, 2012).
\2\ Extension and Redesignation of Syria for Temporary Protected
Status, 78 FR 36223 (June 17, 2013).
\3\ Extension and Redesignation of the Syrian Arab Republic for
Temporary Protected Status, 80 FR 245 (Jan. 5, 2015).
\4\ Extension and Redesignation of Syria for Temporary Protected
Status, 81 FR 50533 (Aug. 1, 2016).
\5\ Extension of the Designation of Syria for Temporary
Protected Status, 83 FR 9329 (Mar. 5, 2018).
\6\ Extension of the Designation of Syria for Temporary
Protected Status, 84 FR 49751 (Sept. 23, 2019).
\7\ Extension and Redesignation of Syria for Temporary Protected
Status, 86 FR 14946 (Mar. 19, 2021).
\8\ Extension and Redesignation of Syria for Temporary Protected
Status, 87 FR 46982 (Aug. 1, 2022).
\9\ Extension and Redesignation of Syria for Temporary Protected
Status, 89 FR 5562 (Jan. 29, 2024).
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Secretary's Authority To Terminate the Designation of Syria for
Temporary Protected Status
At least 60 days before the expiration of a foreign state's
Temporary Protected Status designation or extension, the Secretary--
after consultation with appropriate U.S. Government agencies--must
review the conditions in the foreign state designated for Temporary
Protected Status to determine whether the country continues to meet the
conditions for the designation. See INA sec. 244(b)(3)(A), 8 U.S.C.
1254a(b)(3)(A). If the Secretary determines that the foreign state no
longer meets the conditions for the Temporary Protected Status
designation, the Secretary must terminate the designation. See INA sec.
244(b)(3)(B), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(B). The termination may not take
effect earlier than 60 days after the date the Federal Register notice
of termination is published, or if later, the expiration of the most
recent previous extension of the country designation. See id. The
Secretary may determine the appropriate effective date of the
termination and expiration of any Temporary Protected Status-related
documentation, such as EADs, issued or renewed after the effective date
of termination. See id.; see also INA sec. 244(d)(3), 8 U.S.C.
1254a(d)(3) (providing the Secretary the discretionary ``option'' to
allow for a certain ``orderly transition'' period if she determines it
to be appropriate).
Reasons for the Secretary's Termination of the Temporary Protected
Status Designation for Syria
Consistent with INA section 244(b)(3)(A), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(A),
after consulting with appropriate U.S. Government agencies, the
Secretary reviewed country conditions in Syria and considered whether
Syria continues to meet the conditions for the designation under INA
section 244(b)(1)(C), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1)(C). This review included
examining: (a) whether extraordinary and temporary conditions in Syria
that prevent Syrian nationals from returning in safety continue to
exist, and (b) if permitting Syrian nationals to remain temporarily in
the United States is contrary to the national interest of the United
States. The Secretary also examined: (c) whether there is ongoing armed
conflict within the state, and (d) whether, due to
[[Page 45400]]
such conflict, requiring aliens who are nationals of that state to
return would pose a serious threat to their personal safety.
Between 2011 and 2024, the civil war in Syria displaced over half
of the country's population, resulted in the deaths of more than
500,000 people, destroyed critical infrastructure, and significantly
weakened the Syrian economy.\10\ On December 8, 2024, the Bashar al-
Assad regime fell following a ten-day offensive carried out by
opposition forces, Islamist militant group Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham and
the Syrian National Army.\11\ Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa took
steps to establish governing infrastructure including announcing the
formation of a 23-member cabinet to replace the caretaker government
that had been in place since the fall of the Assad regime,\12\ and a
constitutional declaration which established a transitional legal
framework for the post-Assad era.\13\ On May 14, 2025, President Trump
met with interim President al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia and announced that
he would be lifting sanctions and normalizing relations with Syria.\14\
On June 30, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order revoking
six previous Syria-related Executive Orders that imposed comprehensive
economic and financial sanctions and ended the national emergency
declared under those orders.\15\ Following President Trump's
instructions in the June 30, 2025 Executive Order, on July 7, 2025, the
Department of State (``State'') announced the revocation of the Foreign
Terrorist Organization designation of al-Nusrah Front, also known as
Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, effective July 8, 2025.\16\
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\10\ Library of Congress, Congressional Research Service,
``Syria: Transition and U.S. Policy'' Mar. 11, 2025, https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/RL33487.
\11\ Council on Foreign Relations, ``Conflict in Syria'' May 14,
2025, https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/conflict-syria.
\12\ International Crisis Group, ``What Lies in Store for Syria
as a New Government Takes Power?'' Apr. 25, 2025, https://www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-north-afiica/east-mediterranean-mena/syria/what-lies-store-syria-new-govemment-takes-power.
\13\ Id.
\14\ Council on Foreign Relations, ``Trump Meets Syria's Al-
Sharaa'' May 14, 2025, https://www.cfr.org/articie/trump-meets-syrias-al-sharaa.
\15\ See Providing for the Revocation of Syria Sanctions, 90 FR
29395 (July 3, 2025).
\16\ See Revocation of the Foreign Terrorist Organization
Designation of al-Nusrah Front, Also Known as Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham,
90 FR 30187 (July 8, 2025).
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Based on the Department's review, the Secretary has determined that
the termination of the Syria Temporary Protected Status designation is
required. The Secretary has determined that, while some sporadic and
episodic violence occurs in Syria, the situation no longer meets the
criteria for an ongoing armed conflict that poses a serious threat to
the personal safety of returning Syrian nationals. From 2011 to 2024,
civil war engulfed Syria.\17\ Over the years, the conflict evolved from
a protest movement to a civil war. Within that context, opposition
groups formed and splintered, Islamic militants such as Al-Qaeda and
the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria or ISIS exacerbated the violence,
and many countries and foreign fighters joined the war either directly
or by proxy.\18\ Since al-Assad regime's ouster in December 2024, the
nature of violence in Syria has significantly changed; a national-level
war shifted to localized clashes and then lessened to sporadic,
isolated episodes of violence. Instead of nationwide hostilities,
violence now takes form in localized security and insurgent flare-ups,
particularly involving former regime loyalists, sectarian tensions and
other skirmishes.\19\ These events underscore continuing security
challenges, but not full-scale conflict. Interim President al-Sharaa
has established a caretaker cabinet, ratified a constitutional
declaration granting executive authority for a five-year transitional
period, and initiated mechanisms like the National Dialogue
Conference.\20\ These steps demonstrate an effort to move the country
to a stable institutional governance, not a perpetuation of armed
conflict. As outlined, Syria's long-time dictator was deposed, a
transitional political structure has been installed, large-scale
military campaigns have ceased, and displaced populations are
returning. While scattered episodes of violence persist, the structural
transformation in Syria aligns far more closely with the post-conflict
transitional phase of a nation rather than ongoing armed conflict.
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\17\ Library of Congress, Congressional Research Service,
``Syria: Transition and U.S. Policy'' Mar. 11, 2025. https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/RL33487.
\18\ Council on Foreign Relations, ``Syria's Civil War: The
Descent into Horror'' Dec. 20, 2024. https://www.cfr.org/article/syrias-civil-war.
\19\ Library of Congress, Congressional Research Service,
``Syria: Transition and U.S. Policy'' Mar. 11, 2025. https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/RL33487.
\20\ International Crisis Group, ``What Lies in Store for Syria
as a New Government Takes Power?'' Apr. 25, 2025. https://www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-north-africa/east-mediterranean-mena/syria/what-lies-store-syria-new-government-takes-power.
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Further, regarding the extraordinary and temporary conditions,
although most Syrians require some form of humanitarian assistance,\21\
this does not prevent nationals from returning in safety, as evidenced
by the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees' estimate that ``since 2024,
over 1.2 million Syrians have returned to Syria. Meanwhile, internal
returns continue, with 1,763,513 internally displaced people (IDP)
returnees since December 2024. . . .'' \22\
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\21\ United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs, ``Syrian Arab Republic: At a glance, urgently prioritized
humanitarian response priorities 2025'' July 24, 2025, https://reliefweb.int/node/4167057.
\22\ UNHCR, ``Press Releases: UNHCR deputy chief calls for
support to end displacement for millions of Syrians'' Sept. 2, 2025,
https://www.unhcr.org/us/news/press-releases/unhcr-deputy-chief-
calls-support-end-displacement-millions-
syrians#:~:text=%E2%80%9CI%20saw%20up%2Dclose%20how,seeing%20high%20n
umbers%20of%20returns.
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Based on the Department's review, the Secretary has further
determined that, even assuming the relevant conditions in Syria remain
both ``extraordinary'' and ``temporary,'' termination of the Syria
Temporary Protected Status designation is required because it is
contrary to the national interest to permit Syrian nationals (or aliens
having no nationality who last habitually resided in Syria) to remain
temporarily in the United States.\23\
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\23\ See INS v. Bagamasbad, 429 U.S. 24, 25 (1976) (per curiam)
(``As a general rule courts and agencies are not required to make
findings on issues the decision of which is unnecessary to the
results they reach.'').
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``National interest'' is an expansive standard that may encompass
an array of broad considerations, including foreign policy, public
safety (e.g., potential nexus to criminal gang membership), national
security, migration factors (e.g., pull factors), immigration policy
(e.g., enforcement prerogatives), and economic considerations (e.g.,
adverse effects on U.S. workers, impact on U.S. communities).\24\
Determining whether permitting a class of aliens to remain temporarily
in the United States is
[[Page 45401]]
contrary to the U.S. national interest therefore calls upon the
Secretary's expertise and discretionary judgment, informed by her
consultations with appropriate U.S. Government agencies and her review
of various considerations.
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\24\ See, e.g., Poursina v. USCIS, 936 F.3d 868, 874 (9th Cir.
2019) (observing, in an analogous INA context, ``that the `national
interest' standard invokes broader economic and national-security
considerations, and such determinations are firmly committed to the
discretion of the Executive Branch--not to federal courts'' (citing
Trump v. Hawaii, 585 U.S. 667, 684-86 (2018)); Flores v. Garland, 72
F.4th 85, 89-90 (5th Cir. 2023) (same); Brasil v. Sec'y, Dep't of
Homeland Sec., 28 F.4th 1189, 1193 (11th Cir. 2022) (same); cf.
Matter of D-J-, 23 I&N Dec. 572, 579-81 (A.G. 2003) (recognizing
that taking measures to stem and eliminate possible incentives for
potential large-scale migration from a given country is ``sound
immigration policy'' and an ``important national security
interest''); Matter of Dhanasar, 26 I&N Dec. 884, 890-91 (AAO 2016)
(taking into account impact on U.S. workers in ``national interest''
assessments).
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There are significant public safety and national security risks
associated with the continued designation of Temporary Protected Status
for Syria. Syria has been on State's list of state sponsors of
terrorism since the list's inception in 1979 ``because of its continued
support of terrorism and terrorist groups, its former occupation of
Lebanon, its pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and missile
programs and use of chemical weapons, and its ongoing efforts to
undermine U.S. and international stabilization activities in Iraq and
Syria.'' \25\ The U.S. Embassy in Damascus suspended operations in
February 2012, and diplomatic relations were severed for over a
decade.\26\ This lack of diplomatic presence severely limits the U.S.
government's ability to access reliable Syrian records. Furthermore,
the caliber of the civil and criminal history records is not
comprehensive, accurate, or reliable, making meaningful vetting
virtually impossible. Even if there was an embassy in place, the United
States cannot adequately vet Syrian nationals for identity, criminal
history, or potential terrorist affiliations, posing an ongoing threat
to public safety and national security of the United States. In a
January 20, 2025 Executive Order, President Trump instructed the
Secretary of State, Attorney General, Secretary of Homeland Security,
and the Director of National Intelligence to ``vet and screen to the
maximum degree possible all aliens who intend to be admitted, enter, or
are already inside the United States, particularly those aliens coming
from regions or nations with identified security risks.'' \27\ Given
Syria's continued designation as a state sponsor of terrorism \28\ and
the lack of access to verifiable information, the United States cannot
adequately vet Syrian nationals for identity, criminal history, or
potential terrorist affiliations, posing an ongoing threat to public
safety and national security.
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\25\ U.S. Dep't of State, ``U.S. Relations With Syria'' Oct. 17,
2023, https://2021-2025.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-syria/.
\26\ Id.
\27\ Protecting the United States From Foreign Terrorists and
Other National Security and Public Safety Threats, 90 FR 8451 (Jan.
30, 2025).
\28\ As of the time of writing. Syria remains designated as a
State Sponsor of Terrorism. On June 30, 2025, President Trump issued
an Executive Order directing the Secretary of State, in consultation
with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Attorney General, to take
appropriate action concerning several terrorism-related
designations. These included the designation of Hay'at Tahrir al-
Sham as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, the designation of Al-
Sharaa as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, and the
reaffirmation of Syria's status as a State Sponsor of Terrorism.
Subsequently, State removed Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham from the Foreign
Terrorist Organization list. All other designations remain in
effect.
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These national security and public safety vulnerabilities have
already been proven in the United States. In August 2024, a former
Syrian government official was indicted in the Central District of
California for allegedly lying to United States immigration authorities
about his prior role overseeing a detention facility where prisoners,
including political dissidents, were subjected to torture and other
forms of mistreatment.\29\ His ability to enter the United States and
obtain immigration benefits, despite his leadership role in systemic
abuse under the Assad regime, reveals a critical gap in our screening
processes with respect to aliens from Syria. Syrians who have
participated in or directed acts of torture abroad may continue to pose
a threat within the United States, whether through influence in
diaspora communities, engagement in coercive or criminal activity, or
by undermining the credibility and security of our immigration system.
His presence highlights the risk that human rights violators can
exploit our immigration system and underscores the real, ongoing threat
posed when accountability and thorough vetting is not possible because
the U.S. has lacked the tools and partnerships necessary to verify
identities or past affiliations of Syrian nationals for over a decade.
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\29\ U.S. Dep't of Justice, ``Press Release: Former Syrian
Prison Official Charged with Immigration Fraud'' Aug. 8, 2024,
https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/former-syrian-prison-official-charged-immigration-fraud.
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In another example, a Syrian national admitted to the U.S. as a
refugee in 2016 was later charged in 2019 for ``attempting to provide
material support and resources to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham
(ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization'' and for
``distributing information relating to an explosive, destructive
device, or weapon of mass destruction in relation to his plan to attack
a church in Pittsburgh.'' \30\ Furthermore, DHS records indicate there
are Syrian nationals (or aliens who last habitually resided in Syria)
who are Temporary Protected Status beneficiaries or applicants who are
or have been the subject of administrative investigations for fraud,
public safety, and national security. The Secretary accordingly took
account of those cases in making her determination, as fraud and
egregious public safety violations are contrary to the national
interest.
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\30\ U.S. Dep't of Justice, ``Press Release: Syrian Man Arrested
on Terrorism Charges After Planning Attack on Christian Church''
June 19, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/syrian-man-arrested-terrorism-charges-after-planning-attack-christian-church.
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In Executive Order ``America First Policy Directive to the
Secretary of State,'' President Trump declared ``from this day forward,
the foreign policy of the United States shall champion core American
interests and always put America and American citizens first.''
Moreover, it instructed ``as soon as practicable, the Secretary of
State shall issue guidance bringing the Department of State's policies,
programs, personnel, and operations in line with an America First
foreign policy, which puts America and its interests first.'' \31\
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\31\ See America First Policy Directive to the Secretary of
State, 90 FR 8337 (Jan. 29, 2025).
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There are compelling foreign policy reasons for ending the
Temporary Protected Status designation for Syria. Recent events in
Syria have provided a new opportunity for U.S. and Syrian relations,
with President Trump expressing a commitment to assisting Syria in its
next chapter in the post-Assad era. In his remarks at a United Nations
Security Council briefing on the political and humanitarian situation
in Syria, the acting U.S. alternate representative stated: ``the
President wants to see Syria and the entire region thrive. That's why
he's made a bold decision on Syria with the hope the new government
will take this opportunity to rebuild and take the country from being a
source of instability to a source of stability.'' \32\
Intergovernmental organizations such as the International Organization
for Migration celebrated President Trump's decision to lift sanctions
on Syria: ``The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has
welcomed the recent decisions by the European Union and the United
States to lift a significant portion of sanctions imposed on Syria. The
moves, along with similar decisions taken by the United Kingdom in the
past few weeks, opens new possibilities for recovery, return, and
regional peacebuilding after more than a decade of conflict. . .'' \33\
In
[[Page 45402]]
a May 27, 2025 State press briefing, a spokesperson said, ``the
cessation of sanctions against Syria will advance our primary
objective: the enduring defeat of the Islamic State by giving the
people of Syria a chance for a better future.'' \34\ As noted above,
``since 2024, over 1.2 million Syrians have returned to Syria.
Meanwhile, internal returns continue, with 1,763,513 internally
displaced people (IDP) returnees since December 2024. . . .'' \35\
Following a meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS Small Group,
a State spokesperson released a statement that the members of the
coalition ``affirmed the Coalition's continuing commitment to counter
ISIS/Daesh in post-Assad Syria, including through increased border
security and information sharing and the return of Syrians, Iraqis, and
third country nationals to their communities and countries of origin.''
\36\ In this context, extending Temporary Protected Status could
complicate the administration's broader diplomatic engagement with
Syria's transitional government.
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\32\ U.S. Mission to the United Nations, ``Remarks by John
Kelley, Acting U.S. Alternate Representative, UN Security Council''
May 21, 2025, https://usun.usmission.gov/remarks-at-a-un-security-council-briefing-on-the-political-and-humanitarian-situations-in-syria-12/.
\33\ IOM, ``IOM Welcomes EU and US Decisions to Lift Sanctions
on Syria'' May 27, 2025, https://syria.iom.int/news/iom-welcomes-eu-and-us-decisions-lift-sanctions-syria.
\34\ Dep't of State, ``Department Press Briefing--May 27, 2025''
May 27, 2025, https://www.state.gov/briefings/department-press-briefing-may-27-2025.
\35\ UNHCR, ``Press Releases: UNHCR deputy chief calls for
support to end displacement for millions of Syrians'' Sept. 2, 2025,
https://www.unhcr.org/us/news/press-releases/unhcr-deputy-chief-
calls-support-end-displacement-millions-
syrians#:~:text=%E2%80%9CI%20saw%20up%2Dclose%20how,seeing%20high%20n
umbers%20of%20returns.
\36\ U.S. Department of State, ``Media Note--Meeting of the
Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS Small Group'' June 10, 2025. https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2025/06/meeting-of-the-global-coalition-to-defeat-isis-small-group.
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In sum, the Secretary's decision to terminate the Temporary
Protected Status designation for Syria is grounded in a comprehensive
assessment of national interest factors including public safety,
national security, and foreign policy as well as an analysis of the
nature of the violence in the country today. The significant reduction
in armed conflict, from a previously pervasive civil war to sporadic
episodes of violence, shows that violence in Syria no longer
constitutes the statutory basis for ongoing armed conflict. Moreover,
in light of the continued national security and public safety risks,
combined with the foreign policy considerations of sending mixed
signals at a pivotal moment in U.S.-Syria relations, extending
Temporary Protected Status for Syria is contrary to the U.S. national
interest. In considering these factors individually and cumulatively,
the Secretary has determined that Syria no longer meets the statutory
basis for Temporary Protected Status.
DHS estimates that there are 6,132 \37\ current approved
beneficiaries under the designation of Syria for Temporary Protected
Status. As of September 8, 2025, there are 833 total pending
applications for the designation of Syria for Temporary Protected
Status.
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\37\ Estimates as of September 8, 2025.
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Effective Date of Termination of the Designation
The Temporary Protected Status statute provides that the
termination of a country's Temporary Protected Status designation may
not be effective earlier than 60 days after the notice is published in
the Federal Register or, if later, the expiration of the most-recent
previous extension. See INA sec. 244(b)(3)(B), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(B).
The Temporary Protected Status statute authorizes the Secretary, at
her discretion, to allow for an extended ``orderly transition'' period
with respect to the termination and the expiration of any Temporary
Protected Status-related documentation, such as EADs. The Secretary has
determined, in her discretion, that a 60-day transition period is
sufficient and warranted here given the Secretary's finding that
continuing to permit Syrian nationals to remain temporarily in the
United States is contrary to the U.S. national interest. See INA sec.
244(d)(3), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(d)(3). Accordingly, the termination of the
Syria Temporary Protected Status designation will be effective 60 days
from this notice's publication date.\38\
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\38\ See 8 CFR 244.19 (``Upon the termination of designation of
a foreign state, those nationals afforded temporary Protected Status
shall, upon the sixtieth (60th) day after the date notice of
termination is published in the Federal Register, or on the last day
of the most recent extension of designation by the [Secretary of
Homeland Security], automatically and without further notice or
right of appeal, lose Temporary Protected Status in the United
States. Such termination of a foreign state's designation is not
subject to appeal.'').
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DHS recognizes that Syria Temporary Protected Status beneficiaries
under the designation continue to be employment authorized during the
60-day transition period.\39\ Accordingly, through this Federal
Register notice, DHS automatically extends the validity of certain EADs
previously issued under the Temporary Protected Status designation of
Syria through November 21, 2025. Therefore, as proof of continued
employment authorization through November 21, 2025, Temporary Protected
Status beneficiaries can show their EADs that have the notation A-12 or
C-19 under Category and a ``Card Expires'' date of September 9, 2022,
March 10, 2024, and September 10, 2025.
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\39\ See INA 244(a)(1)(B), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(a)(1)(B); see also 8
CFR 244.13(b).
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The Secretary has considered putative reliance interests in the
Syria Temporary Protected Status designation, especially when
considering whether to allow for an additional transition period akin
to that allowed under certain previous Temporary Protected Status
terminations. Temporary Protected Status, as the name itself makes
clear, is an inherently temporary status. Temporary Protected Status
designations are time-limited and must be periodically reviewed, as
frequently as every six months in some cases, and Temporary Protected
Status notices clearly notify aliens of the designations' expiration
dates. Further, whether to allow for an orderly transition period is
left to the Secretary's unfettered discretion. See INA sec. 244(b)(3),
(d)(3); 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3), (d)(3). The statute inherently
contemplates advance notice of a termination by requiring timely
publication of the Secretary's determination and delaying the effective
date of the termination by at least 60 days after publication of a
Federal Register notice of the termination or, if later, the existing
expiration date. See INA sec. 244(b)(3)(A)-(B), (d)(3); 8 U.S.C.
1254a(b)(3)(A)-(B), (d)(3).
Notice of the Termination of the Temporary Protected Status Designation
of Syria
By the authority vested in me as Secretary under INA section
244(b)(3), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3), I have reviewed, in consultation with
the appropriate U.S. Government agencies, (a) conditions in Syria; (b)
whether permitting nationals of Syria (and aliens having no nationality
who last habitually resided in Syria) to remain temporarily in the
United States is contrary to the national interest of the United
States; and (c) whether Syria is experiencing ongoing armed conflict
that poses a serious threat to the personal safety of Syrian nationals.
Based on my review, I have determined that Syria no longer continues to
meet the conditions for Temporary Protected Status under INA section
244(b)(1)(C), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1)(C).
Accordingly, I order as follows:
(1) Pursuant to INA section 244(b)(3)(B), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(B),
and considering INA section 244(d)(3), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(d)(3), the
designation of Syria for Temporary Protected Status is terminated
effective at 11:59 p.m., local time, on November 21, 2025.
(2) Information concerning the termination of Temporary Protected
Status for nationals of Syria (and aliens having no nationality who
last
[[Page 45403]]
habitually resided in Syria) under the designation will be available at
local USCIS offices upon publication of this notice and through the
USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283. This information will also be
published on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov.
Kristi Noem,
Secretary of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. 2025-18322 Filed 9-19-25; 4:15 pm]
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