The United States has extended temporary protection for nearly 7,000 Syrians in living in the country for another 18 months under protected status. <br/><br/>Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said in a statement that it is clear that the conditions upon which Syria's designation was based continue to exist, therefore an extension is warranted under the statute. <br/><br/>They were shielded from deportation under a humanitarian programme, Temporary Protected Status (TPS). <br/><br/>For Syrians already living and working in the US, TPS will be extended for another 18 months, but Syrians who entered the country after August 2016 will be excluded from the programme.<br/>