The Friday U.S. announcement gives Ethiopian refugees already in the United States as of October 20, 2022 "Temporary Protected Status" [TPS] for 18 months.
Under the rules for TPS, these Ethiopians can stay in the States, even if their visas are expired, for the duration of the declaration.
At the expiration of this order, it can be renewed and extended - depending on the situation back in Ethiopia.
The Department of Homeland Security says about 26,700 Stateside Ethiopians can file TPS applications.
The DHS announcement said "This designation is based on both ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions in Ethiopia that prevent Ethiopian nationals, and those of no nationality who last habitually resided in Ethiopia, from returning to Ethiopia safely."
This is the first time that Ethiopians have been granted TPS status.
Along with providing shelter for persons fleeing conflict, the U.S. TPS program also covers, as DHS states, "Extraordinary and temporary conditions that further prevent nationals from returning in safety include a humanitarian crisis involving severe food insecurity, flooding, drought, large-scale displacement, and the impact of disease outbreaks. "
