The Trump administration said on Wednesday it would allow some 7,000 Syrians to remain in the United States for at least another 18 months under protected status as civil war rages in their native country. "I'm happy this decision came out now and I don't have to worry about this for another 18 months at least." The Obama administration granted Syrians temporary protected status in 2012, the year after the war in Syria began, and extended it through the end of March. The Obama administration re-designated Syria's protected status several times so that waves of Syrians who had arrived in later years of the conflict could qualify. Some groups that favour immigration restrictions had opposed an 18-month extension of the humanitarian benefits for Syrians, saying six months would be more appropriate.

Source: dna February 01, 2018 01:30 UTC