Aug 7, 2004 9:49 am US/Central
WASHINGTON (AP) The Department of Homeland Security and Immigration has extended by one year the temporary protected status for nationals of Somalia.
The extension runs until September 17, 2005. Under the extension, Somalis who have been granted temporary protected status are eligible to live and work in the United States for an additional year and continue to maintain their status but must re-register by October 5.
The US government says there are 324 nationals of Somalia or people with no nationality who last lived in Somalia who are eligible for re-registration.
Although the move pleased Somali leaders in Minnesota, they complained about the aggressive interview required to gain temporary protected status and said most applications are denied.