If you hold Temporary Protected Status and you have been watching the news over the past year, you already know that 2026 has brought unprecedented legal uncertainty. The Trump administration has moved to terminate TPS for more than a dozen countries, affecting well over one million people. Courts have repeatedly blocked those terminations. The Supreme Court has intervened. And the situation continues to change week by week.
For TPS holders, trying to understand what any of this means for your specific situation can feel overwhelming. Which terminations are currently blocked? Which ones have gone into effect? What does it mean when a court “stays” a termination? And most importantly, what should you be doing right now to protect yourself and your family?
This guide provides an honest, updated overview of where TPS stands, country by country, along with practical steps for people navigating this period of uncertainty. Because TPS law is complex and this situation is evolving rapidly, consulting a licensed immigration attorney for advice, it is essential.
Your paperwork needs to be in order regardless of how the courts rule. At YT Multiservices, we help TPS holders across Florida organize their documents, prepare renewal applications, and make sure their supporting paperwork is complete and consistent. We are not a law firm and do not offer legal advice, but having your documents ready is something we can help with. Reach out today.
Key Takeaways
- The Trump administration has moved to terminate TPS for more than 13 countries since early 2025.
- As of April 2026, many terminations are blocked by court orders, but several have gone into effect.
- The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in late April 2026 on the Haiti and Syria TPS cases. A ruling is expected by early July 2026, and it could affect the entire TPS program.
- Venezuela’s TPS has ended for most holders. Some limited exceptions apply based on when EADs were issued.
- Honduras’s TPS officially terminated in September 2025 and the 9th Circuit allowed that termination to proceed as of February 2026.
- TPS status and court protections change rapidly. Always verify your current status with a licensed immigration attorney.
- TPS does not automatically lead to a green card, but some TPS holders may have other pathways to permanent status.
What Is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?
Temporary Protected Status is a humanitarian protection established by the U.S. Congress in 1990. It allows nationals of countries experiencing ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, epidemics, or other extraordinary conditions to live and work legally in the United States on a temporary basis.
TPS does not create a path to a green card on its own, but it provides critical protection: while a person’s TPS is valid, they cannot be detained or deported based solely on their immigration status, and they are eligible to receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) that allows them to work legally. Some TPS holders may also receive advance parole for international travel, though this requires careful planning and legal guidance.
How TPS Works and Who Qualifies
The Secretary of Homeland Security designates countries for TPS based on a review of conditions in those countries. To qualify for TPS, a person must:
- Be a national of a designated country, or a person without nationality who last habitually resided in that country
- Have been continuously residing in the United States since the date specified in the TPS designation for their country
- Have been continuously physically present in the U.S. since the designation was announced
- Not have certain criminal convictions or grounds of inadmissibility
TPS holders must re-register during each registration period to maintain their protected status and keep their work authorization active. Missing a re-registration window can have serious consequences, and registration requirements have not been suspended even as legal battles over terminations continue.
What Happens When TPS Is Terminated?
When the Secretary of Homeland Security terminates a country’s TPS designation, holders from that country lose their protected immigration status and their work authorization at the end of the notice period, which is typically 60 to 120 days after the termination announcement.
Without TPS, a person who has no other valid immigration status may be subject to removal proceedings. The termination of TPS does not automatically mean deportation begins, but it does remove the legal protection that prevented it. This is why the court orders blocking many of these terminations have been so consequential: they maintain TPS protections in effect while the legal questions are resolved.
TPS Country-by-Country Status (Updated April 2026)
The situation for each country is different. What follows is the most accurate summary available as of April 2026. Because court orders can be issued, stayed, or overturned at any time, verifying the current status of your country’s TPS with a licensed immigration attorney or through official USCIS channels is essential.
Venezuela
Venezuela has the largest TPS population in the United States, with well over 600,000 holders across both the 2021 and 2023 designations.
Current status: TPS has ended for most Venezuelan TPS holders. For most people who received TPS under the 2023 designation, protection ended on October 3, 2025, when the Supreme Court allowed the termination to take effect. For most people who received TPS under the 2021 designation, protection ended on November 7, 2025.
A significant exception: TPS holders who received a new Employment Authorization Document between January 17 and February 5, 2025, with an expiration date of October 2, 2026, retain work authorization until that date.
Legal challenges continue. In January 2026, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the government acted unlawfully in terminating Venezuela’s TPS, but the earlier Supreme Court order remains in effect, meaning that ruling did not restore TPS for most holders. Venezuelan TPS holders face the most legally precarious situation of any TPS population and should consult an immigration attorney immediately.
Haiti
Current status: Protected by court order. As of April 2026, Haitian TPS holders retain their protected status and work authorization while litigation continues.
DHS attempted to terminate Haiti’s TPS with an effective date of February 3, 2026. Federal courts blocked that termination. The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear oral arguments on the Haiti and Syria TPS cases in late April 2026, with a ruling expected by early July 2026. That ruling will be decisive, not just for Haiti, but potentially for the entire TPS program.
Haitian TPS holders should continue to maintain their documentation and consult an attorney about re-registration requirements and the impact of the Supreme Court case on their specific situation.
Honduras
Current status: In a legally complex position. TPS for Honduras officially terminated on September 8, 2025. A federal district court vacated that termination on December 31, 2025. However, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals stayed the district court’s order on February 9, 2026, finding the government is likely to succeed on appeal. This means the Ninth Circuit’s stay effectively allowed the termination to proceed again.
Honduran TPS holders face serious uncertainty. The legal situation is actively contested, and the outcome depends on ongoing appellate proceedings. Consulting a licensed immigration attorney about your current status is critical.
Nicaragua
Current status: Similar legal complexity to Honduras. Nicaragua’s TPS termination was challenged in court, and the district court issued an order in December 2025 finding the termination unlawful. The subsequent Ninth Circuit developments that affected Honduras may also affect Nicaragua’s situation. Nicaraguan TPS holders should consult an attorney for the most current information on their status.
El Salvador
Current status: El Salvador’s TPS has not been terminated as of April 2026. El Salvador has held TPS designation since 2001, making it one of the longest-standing TPS designations. While the administration has reviewed TPS designations broadly, no formal termination action has been finalized for El Salvador at the time of this writing. TPS holders from El Salvador should continue re-registering during active registration periods and monitor for any new announcements.
Nepal
Current status: Nepal’s TPS termination was challenged in court, and an injunction was issued blocking the termination. The district court vacated the termination decision in December 2025. Nepalese TPS holders should verify their current re-registration requirements and consult an attorney to understand whether their specific EAD and status documents remain valid.
Somalia
Current status: Protected by court order. Somalia’s TPS termination was set to take effect on March 17, 2026. Just days before that date, on March 13, 2026, a federal judge in Massachusetts issued an order staying the termination. Somali TPS holders currently retain their protected status and work authorization while that order remains in effect.
Yemen
Current status: TPS for Yemen is ending. The termination date is May 4, 2026. Yemeni TPS holders should consult a licensed immigration attorney immediately about alternatives and about whether any legal challenges may affect this timeline.
Ethiopia
Current status: The Trump administration attempted to terminate Ethiopia’s TPS on February 13, 2026. A court order blocked that termination. Ethiopian TPS holders retain their protected status while litigation continues.
Myanmar (Burma)
Current status: Protected by court order. A federal court in Illinois issued an order on January 23, 2026, postponing the termination of TPS for Burma. Burmese TPS holders currently maintain their status and work authorization while the litigation proceeds.
Other Countries (Afghanistan, Cameroon, Syria, Sudan, South Sudan, Ukraine, Lebanon)
- Syria: Termination was blocked by a federal court in November 2025. Syria is one of the two countries whose TPS cases the Supreme Court will hear in April 2026.
- Sudan: TPS protections have been challenged and courts have issued orders. Holders should verify current status with an attorney.
- South Sudan: Court order issued December 30, 2025, staying the termination. Holders retain protection while litigation continues.
- Ukraine: TPS for Ukraine remains valid through October 19, 2026, and has not been the subject of termination proceedings.
- Afghanistan: Termination proceedings have moved forward for Afghanistan. TPS holders should consult an attorney immediately.
- Cameroon: Termination has been challenged legally. Holders should verify status with an attorney.
- Lebanon: Lebanon’s TPS situation should be verified directly with USCIS or through a licensed immigration attorney.
Key Court Cases to Watch in 2026
Supreme Court TPS Hearing (April 2026)
The most important legal development for TPS in 2026 is the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to hear oral arguments in the Haiti and Syria TPS cases in late April 2026. A ruling is expected by early July 2026.
The central question before the Court is whether federal courts have the authority to review the Secretary of Homeland Security’s decisions to terminate TPS designations. The government argues those decisions are committed to agency discretion and not subject to judicial review. TPS holders and advocacy organizations argue that courts can and should review whether termination decisions comply with the law.
Two broad outcomes are possible. If the Court rules in favor of TPS holders, it would affirm judicial oversight of TPS termination decisions and create stronger legal footing for challenges to other terminations, potentially restoring protections for Haiti, Syria, and opening the door to revisiting Venezuela. If the Court rules in favor of the government, it would give DHS broad authority to end TPS designations with limited oversight, putting hundreds of thousands of additional TPS holders at immediate risk.
NTPSA v. Noem — Ninth Circuit Developments
The National TPS Alliance v. Noem case, filed in the Northern District of California, has been the flagship legal challenge to TPS terminations for Venezuela, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua. The district court issued rulings finding the terminations unlawful. The Supreme Court’s earlier orders on Venezuela allowed some terminations to proceed. The Ninth Circuit’s February 2026 stay on the Honduras district court ruling has created further legal complexity. This case will continue to evolve alongside the Supreme Court proceedings.
What Should You Do If Your TPS Is Ending?
If your country’s TPS has been terminated or is at risk of termination, the most important thing you can do is act now rather than wait for the situation to resolve on its own.
Check Whether Your TPS Is Protected by a Court Order
The first step is understanding exactly what your current legal status is. Not every TPS holder from a country that has seen termination proceedings has the same outcome. Whether a court order protects your specific situation depends on your country of designation, which TPS designation you are enrolled in, and the specifics of the court orders in place.
Do not rely solely on general news coverage. Verify your status directly with a licensed immigration attorney who can evaluate the most current court orders and their applicability to your situation.
Explore Alternative Immigration Options
Losing TPS does not necessarily mean losing all options. Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for other forms of immigration protection or relief. Possible alternatives include:
Adjustment of Status (Form I-485)
If you are in a relationship that qualifies for a family-based green card, you may be eligible to apply for adjustment of status. Having had TPS does not disqualify you from applying for a green card through a qualifying relationship, but the requirements vary significantly based on how you entered the country and your specific immigration history. An attorney can evaluate whether you qualify.
Asylum Applications
If conditions in your home country would put you at risk of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group, you may qualify for asylum. Asylum applications must generally be filed within one year of arriving in the United States, though exceptions exist. Many TPS holders may have valid asylum claims that they have not pursued.
U-Visa or VAWA Protections
If you are a victim of certain crimes committed in the United States, you may qualify for a U visa. If you are a victim of domestic violence by a U.S. citizen or LPR spouse or parent, VAWA provides a separate self-petition pathway. Both are independent of TPS status.
Cancellation of Removal
If you have been in the United States for at least 10 continuous years, have good moral character, and can show that your removal would cause exceptional hardship to a U.S. citizen or LPR spouse, parent, or child, you may be eligible for Cancellation of Removal as a defense in immigration court proceedings.
Renew Your EAD Before It Expires
Regardless of what happens in the courts, maintaining your current Employment Authorization Document is critical. Expired work authorization, even for people whose TPS is technically protected by a court order, can create significant practical problems with employers. If your EAD is approaching its expiration date, taking steps to renew or extend it as early as possible is essential.
Consult an Immigration Attorney
This is not optional advice given where things stand in 2026. The legal landscape around TPS is changing month by month. What was true when you last consulted an attorney may not be true today. A licensed immigration attorney can review your specific country’s current TPS status, evaluate whether court orders protect your situation, assess your eligibility for alternative forms of protection, and help you understand what steps to take next.
What Happens to My Work Permit If TPS Ends?
Your work authorization is tied to your TPS status. If TPS ends, your Employment Authorization Document is no longer valid once the termination takes effect, unless a court order has extended or protected it.
When courts issue orders blocking TPS terminations, those orders typically also extend the validity of EADs that would otherwise expire. In some cases, USCIS has issued guidance on automatic extensions. Venezuelan TPS holders who received EADs between January 17 and February 5, 2025, with expiration dates of October 2, 2026, retain work authorization until that date even though their TPS has otherwise ended.
For TPS holders whose protection is currently maintained by a court order, re-registration during active registration periods remains important. An expired EAD, even for a person whose TPS is protected by litigation, can cause serious problems and should not be allowed to lapse.
Does TPS Lead to a Green Card?
TPS on its own does not create a direct pathway to permanent residence. It is a temporary humanitarian status, not a step toward a green card.
However, some TPS holders may independently qualify for a green card through other pathways, such as through marriage to a U.S. citizen, through an employment-based petition, or through other family relationships. Whether a TPS holder can adjust status inside the United States to obtain a green card depends on complex factors including how they entered the country and their specific immigration history. Some people who entered without inspection may face additional barriers to adjustment of status even if they have a qualifying family relationship.
These are exactly the kinds of nuanced legal questions that require consultation with a licensed immigration attorney who can evaluate the specifics of your case.
Whatever the courts decide, your documents need to be ready. When TPS holders need to pursue alternative pathways, apply for renewals, or demonstrate their immigration history, having organized, complete, and accurate documentation is foundational. At YT Multiservices, we help people across Florida prepare and organize their immigration paperwork so they are ready to move forward regardless of how the legal landscape shifts. Contact us to get your documents in order.
Frequently Asked Questions About TPS in 2026
Can I apply for TPS and asylum at the same time? Yes. You can apply for both TPS and asylum simultaneously if you are eligible for both. They are separate applications and one does not prevent you from pursuing the other.
Does my employer need to accept my TPS-based work authorization even if my EAD looks expired? In cases where USCIS or a court order has automatically extended EAD validity beyond the printed expiration date, employers are required to accept that documentation. USCIS publishes guidance on automatic extensions. You may need to show your employer the relevant USCIS guidance alongside your expired EAD to document that your work authorization is still valid.
If the Supreme Court rules against TPS holders, does that mean immediate deportation? Not automatically. Removal proceedings involve a separate process. However, a ruling that eliminates current court protections would significantly change the legal landscape and could accelerate enforcement actions against people who no longer have any valid immigration status. Consulting an attorney before the ruling is issued is strongly advisable.
I missed a TPS re-registration period. What can I do? Late registration may be possible in certain circumstances. USCIS may accept late re-registration applications with documentation of good cause for the late filing. Consult an immigration attorney to evaluate your specific situation.
