Temporary Protected Status

Last updated 8/13/2026

What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) allows individuals from certain countries to remain in the United States if it is unsafe for them to return to their home country due to a humanitarian emergency there. For example, the federal government may designate a country for TPS if there is an armed conflict (e.g., civil war) or a natural disaster (e.g., earthquake). TPS enables recipients to work in the United States lawfully and protects them from deportation as long as the TPS designation is in effect.

In order to receive TPS, applicants must prove that they have lived continuously in the United States since a date specified by the federal government. A country's TPS designation comes up for renewal at 6 to 18-month intervals, at which point the federal government again makes a determination about whether a given country can absorb its returning nationals safely.

Recipients must re-register for TPS if a TPS designation is extended, or in some cases ended. Visit the USCIS website for additional information about TPS.

Free Legal Help is Available

If you have questions about whether you or a loved one might be eligible for TPS, free legal help is available. The MOIA Immigration Legal Support Centers can provide free, safe immigration legal help in your community and in your language. You can call the MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365 or call 311 and say, "Immigration Legal," to get answers to immigration policy questions and information on how and where to find City-funded, free, and safe immigration legal help.

Hours of Operation

• Monday from 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Tuesday from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Wednesday from 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Thursday from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Friday from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Last Saturday of the month from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Countries Currently Designated for TPS

• El Salvador: On January 10, 2025, the federal government extended TPS for El Salvador through September 9, 2026. People who already have TPS must have applied to renew between January 17, 2025, and March 18, 2025 and apply to extend their TPS by March 9, 2026, to maintain their status. For real time updates, please visit the USCIS website for El Salvador.


• Lebanon: The federal government has renewed the designation for TPS for Lebanon until November 27, 2026.Individuals currently under this TPS designation will have their protections and accompanying work permits automatically extended. For real time updates, please visit the USCIS webpage for Lebanon.


• Sudan: On January 17, 2025 the federal government extended TPS for Sudan through October 19, 2026. People who already have TPS must have applied to renew between January 17, 2025 and March 18, 2025 in order to maintain their status. For real time updates, please visit the USCIS webpage for Sudan.


• Ukraine: On January 10, 2025, the federal government extended TPS for Ukraine through October 19, 2026. People who already have TPS must have applied to renew by March 18, 2025 in order to maintain their status. For real time updates please visit the USCIS website for Ukraine.

Countries with TPS that are Pending a Court Decision

• Ethiopia: A federal judge has issued a temporarily stay to block the Department of Homeland Security announcement of the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ethiopia. TPS protections and accompanying work permits will remain until further litigation. MOIA will continue to monitor the status of this TPS designation and any legal challenges. For real time updates, please visit the USCIS webpage for Ethiopia.


• Somalia: On July 19, 2024, the federal government redesignated TPS for Somalia though March 17, 2026. First-time applicants can apply between July 22, 2024, through March 17, 2026. The TPS designation which was scheduled to end on March 17th is currently on a temporary stay, granted by a federal judge in Massachusetts. During this pause, TPS protections and accompanying work permits for Somali TPS holders will remain in place until further litigation proceeds. For real time updates please visit the USCIS webpage for Somalia.
  
  
• Syria: On September 19, 2025, DHS announced the Termination of Syrian TPS. Syrian TPS holders were going to will lose their TPS protections and accompanying work permits on November 21, 2025. However, on November 19, 2025, a federal court ruled that the Trump Administration must delay its termination of TPS for Syria. For now, Syrian TPS is still valid but this may change as the case moves in the courts. For real time updates please visit the the USCIS webpage for Syria.

TPS Terminated

• Afghanistan: On May 13, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security issued a notice officially terminating the designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghanistan. TPS protections for Afghans ended on July 14, 2025.  Consult an immigration attorney to understand your legal options.


• Cameroon: On June 4, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security issued a notice officially terminating the designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Cameroon. TPS protections for Cameroonians ended on August 4, 2025. Consult an immigration attorney to understand your legal options.


• Haiti: On June 25, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the federal government could proceed with ending TPS for Haiti. On August 5, 2026, a federal judge issued a decision that allowed the federal government to end TPS for Haiti. TPS protections for Haiti ended on August 5, 2026.  Consult an immigration attorney to understand your legal options.


• Honduras: On August 20th, 2025 a federal judge issued a decision that allowed the federal government to end TPS for Honduras. TPS protections for Honduras ended on September 8, 2025. Consult an immigration attorney to understand your legal options.


• Myanmar (Burma): On August 7th, 2026, a federal judge issued a decision that allowed the federal government to end TPS for Myanmar (Burma). TPS protections for Burma ended on August 7, 2026. Consult an immigration attorney to understand your legal options.


• Nepal: On August 20th, 2025, a federal judge issued a decision that allowed the federal government to end TPS for Nepal. TPS protections for Nepal ended on August 20th, 2025.Consult an immigration attorney to understand your legal options.


• Nicaragua: On August 20th, 2025, a federal judge issued a decision that allowed the federal government to end TPS for Nicaragua. TPS protections for Nicaragua ended on September 8th, 2025. Consult an immigration attorney to understand your legal options.


• South Sudan: On August 7th, 2026, a federal judge issued a decision that allowed the federal government to end TPS for South Sudan. TPS protections for South Sudan ended on August 7, 2026. Consult an immigration attorney to understand your legal options.
  


• Venezuela: On October 3rd, 2025, the Supreme Court allowed the termination of the 2023 and 2021 Venezuela TPS designations to take effect. TPS For Venezuela has ended for most people. If you received a TPS approval notice or work permit between January 17, 2025, and February 5, 2025, with an expiration date of October 2, 2026, you may still have TPS or work permit protections. Individuals with questions about the status of their protections should contact MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365.10.


• Yemen: On July 20, 2026, a federal judge lifted its order that blocked the federal government from ending TPS for Yemen. TPS protections for Yemen ended on July 20, 2026. Consult an immigration attorney to understand your legal options.

Frequently Asked Questions