Somalis get 18-month extension on temporary status
The Department of Homeland Security has extended the temporary protected status for some Somalis living in the United States.
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar made the announcement this week. The current protected status had been scheduled to expire in March. But Klobuchar says it's been extended by 18 months, so Somalis who have already been granted the status are eligible to reregister, and could maintain the status through September 2012.
The extension would affect about 300 Somalis nationwide who are here on temporary protected status - that's just a fraction of the thousands of Somalis who live in Minnesota and the United States.
Klobuchar says the current state of Somalia makes returning an unsafe option.
Somalia was designated for temporary protected status in 2001 due to the ongoing conflict in that country.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.