Individuals who already have TPS under the designation ending Otober 1, 2004, and first time applicants must register during the 180-day registration period (August 25, 2004 - February 21, 2005). To register, an applicant must file Form I 821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, with a $50 filing fee; AND Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization (with a $175 filing fee if applying for authorization to work); and 2 (full-face frontal) identification photographs with the USCIS local district office. All applicants over the age of 14 must also submit a $70 fingerprint fee. *There is a new version of Form I-821 available at www.uscis.gov. The older version will be accepted only until September 30, 2004.

Liberia was first designated under the TPS program by the Attorney General on October 1, 2002 based upon ongoing armed conflict. The U.S. Government has recently determined that the armed conflict has concluded and terminated the TPS designation for Liberia. However, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has found that "there are extraordinary and temporary conditions...resulting from the damage caused by the civil war that prevent the safe return of certain nationals of Liberia..." Some of the conditions cited as warranting the re-designation of TPS status in Liberia are: damaged housing stock; less than ten percent of arable land under cultivation; food, security, shelter, water, sanitation, and healthcare remain "practically nonexistent."

For further information, please refer to a Questions and Answers sheet published by USCIS about TPS for Liberia.