TPS Under Attack: Which Countries Are Losing Protection and What to Do Next

If you hold Temporary Protected Status, the last year has been a legal earthquake. The Trump administration has moved to terminate TPS for nearly every designated country — affecting well over 1 million people who have lived, worked, raised families, and built lives in the United States for years or even decades.

But here's what matters right now: federal courts have blocked most of these terminations. The legal battles are ongoing. Your status may still be protected. And your next move depends on understanding exactly where your country's case stands.

This article breaks down every TPS country, the court decisions protecting (or failing to protect) each one, and what you need to do right now to protect yourself and your family.

What Is TPS and Why Is It Under Attack?

Temporary Protected Status is a humanitarian program that allows nationals of certain countries to live and work in the United States when conditions in their home country — war, natural disaster, or other extraordinary circumstances — make it unsafe to return. TPS doesn't lead to a green card on its own, but it provides legal work authorization, protection from deportation, and the ability to remain in the country safely.

As of March 2025, 17 countries held TPS designations: Afghanistan, Myanmar (Burma), Cameroon, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Haiti, Honduras, Lebanon, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Yemen.

The current administration views TPS as a backdoor immigration program that has been repeatedly extended beyond its "temporary" purpose. Beginning in early 2025, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem initiated termination proceedings for nearly all designated countries — some with only weeks of notice.

The result: a patchwork of court battles, injunctions, stays, and confusion that has left TPS holders unsure whether they're protected or not.

Country-by-Country Status: Where Things Stand in March 2026

Here is the current status of every TPS country targeted for termination, updated as of March 18, 2026.

🔴 Venezuela (~600,000 TPS holders)

Status: Protected by court order through October 2, 2026

The administration attempted to terminate Venezuela's TPS designation in early 2025. The case NTPSA v. Noem (N.D. Cal.) challenged the termination. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld an injunction blocking termination, and a summary judgment on December 31, 2025 found the termination unlawful. Venezuelan TPS holders retain their status and work authorization through at least October 2, 2026. The government has appealed — the Supreme Court stayed the original injunction in May 2025, but the Ninth Circuit's subsequent ruling restored protections.

🔴 Haiti (~200,000+ TPS holders)

Status: Protected by multiple court orders

DHS Secretary Noem abruptly ended Haiti's TPS extension, with termination set for February 3, 2026. The NTPSA v. Noem case was amended to include Haitian TPS holders, and federal courts blocked the termination. A separate case, Miot v. Trump (D.D.C.), also challenged the termination. Judge Ana C. Reyes was expected to rule by February 2, 2026. As of now, Haitian TPS holders retain their protections while litigation continues.

🟡 Honduras (TPS since 1999)

Status: Termination vacated by federal court

Honduras has held TPS designation since 1999 — over 25 years. The administration terminated it effective September 8, 2025. However, on December 31, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California ruled in NTPSA v. Noem that the termination of TPS for Honduras was unlawful and vacated the termination decision entirely. Honduran TPS holders should maintain their current status and continue re-registering as required.

🟡 Nepal (TPS since 2015)

Status: Termination vacated by federal court

Same ruling as Honduras — the December 31, 2025 decision vacated Nepal's TPS termination as unlawful. Nepalese TPS holders retain their protections.

🟡 Nicaragua (TPS since 1999)

Status: Termination vacated by federal court

Same ruling as Honduras and Nepal. The court found the termination unlawful and vacated it. Nicaraguan TPS holders retain their protections.

🔴 Somalia (TPS since 1991 — 35 years)

Status: Emergency stay issued March 13, 2026

This is the most recent development. Somalia's TPS was set to terminate on March 17, 2026 — just days ago. On March 13, a federal judge in the District of Massachusetts issued an emergency stay in African Communities Together v. Noem (Case No. 26-cv-11201). The stay blocks termination pending further court order. Somali TPS holders retain all rights including work authorization and protection against deportation.

🟡 El Salvador (~230,000 TPS holders)

Status: Currently valid through September 9, 2026

El Salvador is notable because its TPS designation has not yet been targeted for early termination by the current administration — unlike nearly every other country. Additionally, a federal court in the ACLU's challenge issued a preliminary injunction blocking termination of TPS for El Salvador (along with Nicaragua, Haiti, and Sudan). Salvadoran TPS holders should re-register during the current period and monitor developments closely.

🟡 South Sudan

Status: Court-ordered protections in effect

The African Communities Together v. Noem case also covers South Sudan's TPS designation. The court ordered that during the stay period, TPS holders from South Sudan retain all protections including work authorization and protection from deportation.

🟡 Sudan

Status: Protected by injunction

Sudan's TPS termination was blocked by the same federal court injunction that covers El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Haiti. Sudanese TPS holders retain their protections while the case proceeds.

🟠 Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Syria

Status: Termination proceedings initiated; various stages of legal challenge

The administration has taken steps to end TPS for all of these countries. The status of individual court challenges varies. If you hold TPS from any of these countries, you should consult an immigration attorney immediately to understand the specific protections (if any) that apply to your case.

🟢 Ukraine

Status: Extended through April 2026

Ukraine's TPS designation remains in effect due to the ongoing Russian invasion. While the administration has signaled willingness to maintain Ukraine's TPS given the military conflict, the long-term future remains uncertain. Ukrainian TPS holders should re-register during the current period.

🟢 Lebanon, Yemen

Status: Recently designated or extended

Lebanon was added to TPS in January 2025. Yemen's designation continues. Neither has been targeted for early termination at this time.

The Court Battles: How Federal Judges Are Fighting Back

The legal landscape is defined by several key cases:

NTPSA v. Noem (N.D. Cal. / 9th Circuit) — The flagship case challenging TPS terminations for Venezuela, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua. The Ninth Circuit upheld injunctions, and the district court issued summary judgment finding terminations unlawful on December 31, 2025. The Supreme Court stayed the original injunction in May 2025 but the Ninth Circuit's subsequent ruling restored protections.

African Communities Together v. Noem (D. Mass.) — Covers Somalia and South Sudan. Emergency stay issued March 13, 2026, blocking Somalia TPS termination just days before it was set to take effect.

Miot v. Trump (D.D.C.) — Separate challenge to Haiti's TPS termination. Judge Reyes expected to rule by February 2026.

ACLU Preliminary Injunction (N.D. Cal.) — Blocks termination of TPS for El Salvador, Nicaragua, Haiti, and Sudan.

The common thread: federal judges have repeatedly found that the administration's TPS terminations violate the TPS statute, fail to consider current country conditions, and cause irreparable harm to TPS holders and their families.

What Happens If Your Country's TPS Is Actually Terminated?

If a court order expires or is overturned and your country's TPS designation is terminated, several things happen:

• Your work authorization ends. Your EAD will expire on the termination effective date (or a wind-down date, typically 120-180 days after the termination notice).
• You lose protection from deportation. Without TPS, you return to whatever immigration status you had before TPS was granted — which for many people means undocumented.
• You cannot re-enter if you leave. Travel outside the U.S. after TPS termination may bar re-entry under the 3-year or 10-year unlawful presence bars.

This is why acting now — while court orders are still in effect — is critical.

What You Should Do Right Now

1. Confirm Your Country's Current Legal Status

Check the USCIS TPS page and consult with an immigration attorney. The situation changes rapidly. A court order protecting your status today could be modified or reversed tomorrow.

2. Re-Register for TPS During Every Open Period

Even if your country's TPS is under legal challenge, you must continue to re-register during every open registration period. Failure to re-register means you lose TPS regardless of what the courts decide. Don't assume a court win means you can skip re-registration.

3. Renew Your EAD Before It Expires

Some TPS holders have received automatic 540-day EAD extensions while litigation is pending. Check whether your EAD has been automatically extended and carry proof of the extension with you at all times.

4. Explore Alternative Immigration Relief Now — Don't Wait

TPS was always meant to be temporary. Even if the courts protect your status for now, you should be exploring permanent options:

• Family-based petitions: If you have a U.S. citizen or LPR spouse, parent, or adult child, they may be able to file an immigrant petition for you.
• Asylum: If you face persecution in your home country, you may be eligible for asylum — but the 1-year filing deadline applies.
• Cancellation of removal: If you've been in the U.S. for 10+ continuous years and have U.S. citizen or LPR children or spouse, you may qualify.
• U-Visa or VAWA: If you've been a victim of crime or domestic violence, these protections may apply.
• Employment-based options: If you have an employer willing to sponsor you, explore H-1B, EB categories, or other work visas.

5. Create an Emergency Plan for Your Family

If your TPS is terminated and you face removal, your U.S.-citizen children and property need protection. Work with an attorney to prepare powers of attorney, guardianship designations, and financial plans.

6. Do Not Leave the United States Without Legal Advice

Traveling outside the U.S. while your TPS status is uncertain could trigger re-entry bars. Even with advance parole, the risks are significant. Consult an attorney before any international travel.

The Bigger Picture: Over 1 Million Lives in Limbo

Penn Wharton's Budget Model estimated that 550,000 workers would lose status by end of 2025 from TPS terminations alone. When you include family members, the number exceeds 1 million people — workers, parents, homeowners, taxpayers, community members who have been here legally for years or decades.

The economic impact is staggering. TPS holders contribute billions in taxes, own hundreds of thousands of homes, and work in industries from healthcare to construction to food processing. Their removal would devastate local economies and tear apart families with U.S.-citizen children.

This is not an abstract legal question. It is the daily reality for over a million people who wake up every morning wondering whether today's court ruling will decide their future.

How Modern Law Group Can Help

If you hold TPS from any designated country, our attorneys can:

• Assess your current legal status and the specific court orders protecting your country
• Help you re-register for TPS during open periods
• Evaluate alternative immigration relief options including family petitions, asylum, cancellation of removal, and employment-based visas
• Prepare emergency family protection plans
• Represent you in immigration court if removal proceedings are initiated

Don't wait until a court order expires. The time to act is now.