Columbus This Week

New American Collaborative Initiative meets Tuesday, Sept. 19

Dr Seleshi Asfaw

On the table for discussion at the New American Collaborative Initiative meeting on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 will be how to contribute and support the effect of the Harvey and Irma storms in both Texas and Florida States. The meeting comes up at 1060 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Columbus. Ohio starting 5pm.

“The generous American people extended their hands and welcomed us, fed, received and nurtured us and it is time for us to stand with the American people and support in this difficult time,” program Coordinator, Dr Seleshi Asfaw said.

Kiva holds Open House at YMCA Northland, Sept. 21

Kiva, a non-profit that expands access to capital for entrepreneurs around the world will hold an “office hours” at the Northland YMCA, Columbus in the New American Center between 4.30pm and 6pm.

Ajvar 5K Run/Walk holds Sept. 23

A 5k Run/Walk organized by Ajvar and United Macedonian Diaspora will hold on Saturday, September 23, 2017 from 8am to 11am at Creekside Gahanna, 123 Mill St, Gahanna, Ohio 43230. This year the Ajvar 5k will fundraise for children with Down syndrome and autism. The fundraisers have been held continuously since its launch in 2012 and have taken place all around the world including the US, Canada and Australia.

TPS for South Sudan Extended for 18 Months

Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible nationals of South Sudan (and eligible individuals without nationality who last habitually resided in South Sudan) through May 2, 2019.

A statement from the from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, USCIS said that, “ after consulting with the appropriate U.S. government agencies, and reviewing country conditions, acting Secretary Duke determined that an 18-month extension of South Sudan for TPS is necessary because the ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions that prompted the 2016 TPS re-designation have persisted.

“Current beneficiaries of South Sudan’s TPS designation seeking to extend their TPS status must re-register. The deadline will be published in the Federal Register and on www.uscis.gov/tps later this week,” it said.

According to the statement, “those who re-register and request a new employment authorization document (EAD) may receive an automatic extension of their expiring EAD for up to 180 days from the date their current EAD expires. If a beneficiary’s EAD request is approved, they will receive a new EAD with an expiration date of May 2, 2019. TPS beneficiaries are strongly encouraged to re-register and file their EAD applications as early as possible to avoid lapses in documentation of employment authorization.”