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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Dec. 12, 2025, that it will terminate Ethiopia’s designation for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), effective Feb. 13, 2026, following a status review under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Per the DHS release, Ethiopian nationals with no other lawful basis for remaining in the United States have 60 days to voluntarily depart the country. Those who choose to use the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) CBP Home Mobile App to report their departure will be eligible for a complimentary plane ticket and a $1,000 exit bonus. By formalizing their departures through the CBP app, TPS holders may also help facilitate future applications for immigrant or nonimmigrant visas.

The termination takes effect on Feb. 13, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. local time; after that point, DHS may arrest and deport any Ethiopian national without status.

Background

DHS originally granted TPS to Ethiopian nationals in October 2022, due to ongoing armed conflict and humanitarian crises, and later extended the designation through Dec. 12, 2025, due to continued violence, particularly in Amhara and other regions. The designation allowed Ethiopian nationals to remain in the United States for the duration of TPS, seek employment, pursue educational opportunities, and/or receive certain public benefits.

Reason for Termination

Per DHS, Ethiopia no longer met the statutory criteria for TPS because “conditions in Ethiopia no longer pose a serious threat to the personal safety of returning Ethiopian nationals.”

Population Affected

Approximately 5,000 Ethiopian nationals in the U.S. currently hold TPS under the Ethiopia designation.

Key Takeaway

This policy shift has broad implications for Ethiopian TPS holders facing loss of status, work authorization, and access to public benefits. It may also impact their employers. Limited options available to current TPS holders include voluntary departure or exploration of potential eligibility for another immigration status through family or employment sponsorship, or through humanitarian pathways, such as asylum.

On June 5, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it would terminate the temporary protected status (TPS) for Nepal, effective Aug. 5, 2025.   

As background, DHS grants TPS to eligible individuals from countries experiencing ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary conditions, which allows them to live and work in the United States without fear of deportation. 

Nepal was first given TPS designation in 2015 for an 18-month period after an earthquake devastated the country. DHS subsequently extended the TPS designation for an additional 18-month period. Later, DHS, under the first Trump administration, sought to end Nepal’s TPS designation in 2018, but this was challenged in federal court. As a result of the litigation, DHS rescinded its decision to terminate TPS for Nepal. DHS has since extended TPS for Nepal on several other occasions, up through the current expiration date of Aug. 5, 2025. 

Employees currently working pursuant to TPS under Nepal will lose work authorization on Aug. 5, 2025, and must depart the United States unless they have applied for alternative U.S. immigration benefits that provide work authorization under a different program or category. 

On May 13, 2025, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristin Noem announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghanistan. The TPS designation for Afghanistan is set to expire on May 20, 2025, and the termination will take effect July 14, 2025.

What Is TPS – And How Does It Work?

TPS is a form of humanitarian protection the U.S. government provides to nationals of certain countries experiencing ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions that prevent safe return.

During the TPS period, the beneficiaries:

  • are eligible to remain in the United States;
  • cannot be removed from the United States;
  • are authorized to work, provided they continue to meet TPS requirements;
  • may apply for and be granted travel authorization at the discretion of Homeland Security (DHS)

TPS does not lead to or confer lawful permanent resident status or any other immigration status.

The Immigration and Nationality Act authorizes the DHS secretary to designate a foreign state for TPS if certain conditions exist. In making such a designation, the secretary considers:

  • whether returning nationals would face serious threats to their personal safety due to armed conflict;
  • whether there are extraordinary and temporary conditions that prevent safe return; and
  • whether permitting aliens to remain temporarily in the United States is contrary to the national interest of the United States.

The secretary’s determination is discretionary and not subject to judicial review. 

Why Was TPS for Afghanistan Terminated?

Afghanistan was initially designated for TPS on May 20, 2022, due to ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary temporary conditions. On Sept. 25, 2023, DHS extended and redesignated Afghanistan for an additional 18 months, beginning on Nov. 21, 2023, until May 20, 2025.

Secretary Noem stated that after reviewing the current conditions in Afghanistan, including significant improvements in security and economic stability, the situation no longer meets the statutory criteria for TPS. DHS concluded that returning Afghan nationals no longer poses a serious threat to their safety, and allowing Afghan nationals to remain temporarily in the United States is not aligned with the national interest.

What Is the Potential Impact of the Termination?

Once a country’s TPS designation is terminated, beneficiaries revert to the same immigration status or category that they maintained before TPS (if still valid), or any other lawfully obtained immigration status or category they acquired while under TPS. Afghan nationals will be required to depart the United States by the termination date unless they obtain another form of lawful immigration status. They must also report their timely departure to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem vacated a decision by the Biden administration to extend Haiti’s Temporary Protect Status (TPS) by 18 months. The vacatur states that Haiti’s TPS will end Aug. 3, 2025, unless extended.

TPS is a type of immigration status available to nationals of certain designated countries that allows aliens, even if they entered the country illegally, the ability to reside temporarily in the United States. The DHS secretary is authorized to designate a foreign country for TPS if there is an ongoing armed conflict, an environmental disaster, or extraordinary and temporary conditions. In August 2021, DHS estimated that 155,000 Haitians were eligible under the new designation, and as of July 2024, the estimate was 520,694. 

The vacatur explicitly states:

  • Forms I-765 filed pursuant to the July 1, 2024, notice that are still pending will be adjudicated. A favorable adjudication will result in the issuance of an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) bearing an expiration date of Aug. 3, 2025.
  • TPS beneficiaries who have received an EAD bearing category code A12 or C19 and an expiration date of Feb. 3, 2026, may only work until Aug. 3, 2025, and, despite this change, U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will not issue new EADs bearing the Aug. 3, 2025, expiration date.

Practitioners and employers should be aware of the following:

  • Employers that previously accepted, or are presented with, an EAD bearing category code A12 or C19 and designating Haiti with expiration date of Feb. 3, 2026, must update their records to note the document is only valid through Aug. 3, 2025.
  • If a new hire or existing employee is attempting to extend their A12 or C19 EAD designating Haiti with proof of timely filing, the maximum extension period for the EAD is Aug. 3, 2025, even if it is shorter than the 540-day automatic extension period.

Employers continuing to employ individuals beyond the Haiti TPS expiration of Aug. 3, 2025, without completing the reverification process in which the employee presents a valid work authorization document (other than the Haiti TPS EAD) may face fines for knowingly continuing to employ an individual without work authorization.

On Jan. 28, 2025, the Trump administration, acting through its Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), revoked the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans residing in the United States. This decision reverses the 18-month extension granted Jan. 17, 2025, under the Biden administration. The revocation of TPS for Venezuelans means that the protections set to last until October 2026 will now revert to their prior expiration dates and TPS beneficiaries, who have already applied or intended to re-register, will no longer benefit from the extension. Instead, the 2023 Venezuela TPS designation remains valid for current beneficiaries through April 2, 2025, and the 2021 Venezuela TPS designation remains valid for current beneficiaries through Sept. 10, 2025.

DHS grants TPS to eligible individuals from countries experiencing ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary conditions, which allows them to live and work in the United States without fear of deportation.

Employees with Venezuela TPS may have work authorization through either facially valid documents or automatic extensions. Employers should assess each employee’s work authorization on a case-by-case basis. The first Trump administration attempted to terminate several TPS designations, leading to court challenges, and this most recent revocation of TPS may similarly face legal challenges.

On Jan. 10, 2025, the outgoing Biden administration’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nearly one million individuals in the United States. Specifically, DHS extended TPS for 18 months for qualifying individuals from El Salvador, Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela. To qualify for the TPS extension, individuals from these countries must already be residing in the United States as current beneficiaries of TPS. If they continue to meet general and country specific eligibility requirements, these individuals can register for continued temporary protections from removal and seek temporary employment authorization. Every individual processed by DHS goes through rigorous national security and public safety vetting during the original application process and again during re-registration. If any individual is identified as posing a threat, they may be detained, removed, or referred to other federal agencies for further investigation or prosecution as appropriate. Individuals are barred from TPS if they have been convicted of any felony or two misdemeanors. Please see below for a summary of country specific details:

El Salvador

  • The extension allows roughly 232,000 current beneficiaries from El Salvador to re-register for TPS, if they continue to meet eligibility requirements. Re-registration is limited to individuals who previously registered for and were granted TPS under El Salvador’s prior designation.
  • DHS’ underlying reason for the TPS extension was a substantial disruption of living conditions in El Salvador stemming from environmental disasters, including geological and weather-related events.
  • The 18-month extension period runs from March 10, 2025, to Sept. 9, 2026.
  • Current beneficiaries under TPS for El Salvador must re-register in a timely manner during the 60-day re-registration period beginning when the Federal Register notice is published to ensure they keep their TPS and employment authorization.
  • DHS is automatically extending the validity of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) previously issued under El Salvador’s TPS designation through March 9, 2026.
  • Individuals with a pending Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, or a related Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, starting when the Federal Register notice publishes, do not need to file either application again. If U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approves a pending Form I-821 or Form I-765 filed under the previous designation of TPS for El Salvador, USCIS will grant the individual TPS through Sept. 9, 2026, and issue an EAD valid through the same date.

Sudan

  • DHS cited ongoing armed conflicts, political instability, and human rights abuses as reasons for the extension of TPS for Sudan.
  • The extension allows approximately 1,900 current eligible beneficiaries to re-register for TPS, if they continue to meet eligibility requirements.
  • Re-registration is limited to individuals who are in the United States and previously registered for TPS under Sudan’s designation. Moreover, eligibility is limited to individuals who have continuously resided in the United States since at least Aug. 16, 2023.
  • USCIS will continue to process pending applications filed under the Sudan designation. Both initial applicants and re-registering current beneficiaries who have a pending Form I-821 or Form I-765 do not need to file either application again.
  • If USCIS approves an individual’s pending Form I-821, TPS will be granted through Oct. 19, 2026; similarly, if USCIS approves a pending TPS-based Form I-765, USCIS will issue a new EAD that will be valid through Oct. 19, 2026.

Ukraine

  • DHS determined that an 18-month TPS extension was warranted because of the humanitarian crisis and conditions resulting from the expansion of the Russian military’s invasion of Ukraine.
  • The extension allows approximately 103,700 current eligible beneficiaries to re-register for TPS, if they continue to meet eligibility requirements.
  • Re-registration is limited to individuals who previously registered for TPS under Ukraine’s designation and have continuously resided in the United States since August 16, 2023.
  • DHS is automatically extending the validity of EADs previously issued under Ukraine’s TPS designation for 12 months beyond the current validity’s expiration.
  • USCIS will continue to process pending applications filed under the Ukraine designation. Both initial applicants and re-registering current beneficiaries who have a pending Form I-821 or Form I-765 do not need to file either application again.
  • If USCIS approves an individual’s pending Form I-821, TPS will be granted through Oct. 19, 2026; similarly, if USCIS approves a pending TPS-based Form I-765, USCIS will issue a new EAD that will be valid through Oct. 19, 2026.

Venezuela

  • Venezuela’s TPS extension period will be from April 3, 2025, to Oct. 2, 2026.
  • DHS determined that a TPS extension is warranted because of the severe humanitarian emergency the country continues to face due to political and economic crises under the Maduro regime.
  • The extension will allow approximately 600,000 current eligible beneficiaries to re-register for TPS, if they continue to meet eligibility requirements.
  • Individuals may be eligible if they have continuously resided in the United States on or before July 31, 2023. Venezuelan nationals who registered for TPS under the 2021 Venezuela TPS designation are also eligible to re-register for TPS under this extension, as they meet the same eligibility requirements. Venezuelan nationals who arrived in the United States after July 31, 2023, are not eligible for TPS. Those who do not enter through a lawful process or pathway will be subject to enforcement consequences.
  • Venezuelan TPS beneficiaries must timely re-register during the re-registration period that runs from the publication of Federal Register notice to Sept. 10, 2025, to ensure they keep their TPS and work authorization.
  • DHS is automatically extending the validity of EADs previously issued under Venezuela’s TPS designation through April 2, 2026.
  • USCIS will continue to process pending applications filed under the Venezuela designation. Both initial applicants and re-registering current beneficiaries who have a pending Form I-821 or Form I-765 do not need to file either application again.
  • If USCIS approves an individual’s pending Form I-821, TPS will be granted through Oct. 2, 2026; similarly, if USCIS approves a pending TPS-based Form I-765, USCIS will issue a new EAD that will be valid through Oct. 2, 2026.

Please refer to the forthcoming Federal Register notices for each respective country for specific details and explanations regarding the eligibility criteria, timelines, and procedures necessary for current beneficiaries to re-register and renew EADs.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the extension and redesignation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuela. DHS says this decision comes in response to ongoing extraordinary conditions in Venezuela, which have made it unsafe for individuals to return to their home country. However, major news outlets are reporting that this decision comes after heavy pressure from local and federal political leaders who say their communities need immigrants to be able to work.

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas has announced an 18-month extension and redesignation of TPS for Venezuela. The TPS extension offers temporary protection from deportation and provides employment authorization for Venezuelan nationals residing in the United States before July 31, 2023.

Currently, there are approximately 242,700 TPS beneficiaries under Venezuela’s existing designation, with an additional 472,000 nationals of Venezuela who may be eligible under the redesignation. This extension and redesignation aim to provide relief to the Venezuelan community in the United States, allowing them to live and work legally.

 On Aug. 18, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced an additional 18-month extension of temporary protected status (TPS) for Ukrainian nationals, from Oct. 20, 2023, through April 19, 2025. Existing beneficiaries of TPS for Ukraine may re-register for TPS during the 60-day re-registration period, which began Aug. 21, 2023, and runs through Oct. 20, 2023. According to DHS, the extension of TPS will allow approximately 26,000 current beneficiaries to retain TPS through April 19, 2025, if they continue to meet the TPS eligibility requirements.

Citing the ongoing armed conflict and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, DHS also announced a redesignation of TPS for Ukrainian nationals. This means that Ukrainian nationals residing in the United States as of Aug. 16, 2023, are now eligible to apply for TPS. DHS estimates hold that potentially 166,700 additional individuals may be eligible for TPS under this redesignation. This includes Ukrainian nationals in the United States in a nonimmigrant status or without a lawful immigration status.

Current beneficiaries who wish to extend their TPS must re-register with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) during the 60-day re-registration period in 2023 to ensure there is no gap in their TPS or employment authorization. Additionally, given not all re-registrants may receive a new employment authorization document (EAD) before their current EAD expiration date, USCIS is automatically extending previously issued EADs through Oct. 19, 2024.

Individuals who have a TPS application pending with USCIS, or a related Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, do not need to refile these pending applications. If USCIS approves a pending TPS or EAD application filed under the previous designation of TPS for Ukrainian nationals, USCIS will grant the individual TPS through April 19, 2025, and will also issue an EAD valid through the same end date.

The announcement from DHS directs individuals to the Federal Register notice for an explanation regarding the TPS eligibility criteria, timelines, and procedures necessary for current beneficiaries to re-register and renew EADs, as well as for new applicants to submit a TPS application under the redesignation and apply for an EAD.

On Aug. 18, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced an 18-month extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ukraine. This newly granted extension will run from Oct. 20, 2023, through April 19, 2025, due to the ongoing armed conflict in Ukraine preventing a safe return for its citizens.

The TPS extension will allow approximately 26,000 current beneficiaries to retain TPS through April 19, 2025, if they continue to meet TPS eligibility requirements. An estimated 166,700 additional individuals may be eligible for TPS under the redesignation of Ukraine. 

Among the highlights of the DHS announcement:

  • Redesignation of TPS for Ukraine: Allowing TPS eligibility for Ukrainian nationals – and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Ukraine – residing in the United States as of Aug. 16, 2023, instead of the initial designation date of April 19, 2022.
  • Special Student Relief for F-1 Nonimmigrant Students: Students whose country of citizenship is Ukraine may request employment authorization, work an increased number of hours while school is in session, and reduce their course load while continuing to maintain F-1 status through the TPS designation period.
  • Re-registration Date for TPS: Current beneficiaries who wish to extend their temporary protected status must re-register during a set 60-day period, between Aug. 21, 2023, and Oct. 20, 2023, to ensure TPS and employment authorization retention without any gaps. 
  • Automatic EAD Extensions: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will automatically extend Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) previously issued through Oct. 19, 2024, recognizing not all re-registrants may receive a new EAD before their current documents expire.
  • Continued Processing of Pending TPS Applications: Individuals with a pending Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, or a related Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, do not need to file either application again with USCIS. If USCIS approves a pending Form I-821 or Form I-765 filed under the previous designation of TPS for Ukraine, USCIS will grant the individual TPS through April 19, 2025, and issue an EAD valid through the same date. 

First-time applicants under this TPS redesignation must submit Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, during the initial registration period that runs from Aug. 21, 2023, through April 19, 2025.

Those with additional questions about this process should consult with experienced immigration counsel.

The Department of Homeland Security announced an 18-month extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, Sudan, Honduras, and Nepal. Current beneficiaries will be eligible to re-register to remain in the United States with work authorization through June 30, 2024. See Notice of Continuation of Temporary Protected Status and related documentation for Certain TPS beneficiaries. The current expiration date is Dec. 31, 2022.

There are currently 15 countries designated for TPS, which provides a temporary status to eligible individuals who are unable to safely return to their home country because of ongoing armed conflict, an environmental disaster, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions.

Information about the re-registration process is published in the Federal Register notice. Please check back with us for additional updates regarding the re-registration process.