The United States on Friday allowed Syrians on its soil to stay temporarily in spite of their expired visas or illegal status, citing the threats posed to them by the deteriorating conditions in their home country, Xinhua reported.
Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano said she was offering a Temporary Protected Status for Syrians currently in the United States "in light of the deteriorating conditions in Syria."
"Conditions in Syria have worsened to the point where Syrian nationals already in the United States would face serious threats to their personal safety if they were to return to their home country," she said in a statement.
She said a notice on details will be published in the Federal Register early next week, including eligibility requirements and registration procedures, and all applicants must undergo "full background checks."