"After carefully considering conditions on the ground, I have determined that it is necessary to extend the Temporary Protected Status designation for Syria," said Secretary Nielsen.

The decision marks the first full embrace of the Temporary Protected Status program by the Trump Administration.

Still, immigration rights activists said President Trump should have been more generous and expanded the window to new Syrians who've managed to reach the US since 2016.

"It is clear that the conditions upon which Syria's designation was based continue to exist, therefore an extension is warranted under the statute," she said.

The TPS decision rests with Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, who granted a full 18-month extension—the longest allowed under the law—to Syrians who were in the US as of August 2016, and are unable to return home because of unrest.

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