The United States extended on Friday the Temporary Protection System for Ukrainians and Sudanese until the spring of 2025. The decision was attributed to the ongoing conflicts in both war-torn nations. The Department of Homeland Security issued separate statements indicating an 18-month extension of the protection system, effective from October 20th to April 19th, 2025.
The Department also announced modifications that will allow more eligible Ukrainians and Sudanese to apply for temporary protection. This represents aid to students from both countries studying in the US, allowing them to maintain their student status even if they reduce their course load to work more hours.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas commented, “The ongoing Russian military invasion of Ukraine and the resulting humanitarian crisis necessitate that the US continues to offer safety and protection to Ukrainians unable to return to their country.” He added, “We will continue to support Ukrainian nationals through this form of temporary humanitarian relief.”
Approximately 26,000 currently enrolled Ukrainians will benefit from the extension, with an additional 166,700 Ukrainians eligible to join the program. Officials also noted the outbreak of violent clashes in Sudan in April 2023, resulting in hundreds of deaths, political instability, acts of violence, and human rights abuses against civilians. Currently, around 1,200 Sudanese benefit from the Temporary Protection System, with another 2,750 now eligible to join.
