The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced significant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) updates impacting beneficiaries from Sudan, Somalia, and Ukraine. The latest guidance introduces automatic Employment Authorization Document (EAD) extensions for certain Sudanese and Ukrainian TPS beneficiaries while officially confirming the termination of TPS protections for Somalia.
These updates carry important implications for both TPS holders and U.S. employers, particularly regarding employment authorization, Form I-9 compliance, and E-Verify requirements.
Sudan TPS: Automatic EAD Extension Until October 19, 2026
USCIS confirmed that Sudan’s TPS designation is scheduled to terminate on October 19, 2026. To prevent interruptions in employment authorization during the transition period, the agency will provide automatic EAD extensions for eligible Sudanese TPS beneficiaries.
Who Qualifies?
The automatic extension applies to individuals who:
- Have a pending TPS-based EAD renewal application.
- Continue to meet TPS eligibility requirements.
- Have not yet received a renewed EAD under category A12 or C19.
Eligible beneficiaries may continue working by presenting their expired TPS-based EAD together with the official USCIS extension notice. Their employment authorization will remain valid through October 19, 2026.
Eligible EAD Expiration Dates
The automatic extension applies to TPS-based EADs bearing the following expiration dates:
- November 2, 2017
- November 2, 2018
- April 2, 2019
- January 2, 2020
- January 4, 2021
- October 4, 2021
- December 31, 2022
- June 30, 2024
- April 19, 2025
Employer Compliance
For eligible Sudan TPS beneficiaries, employers should:
- Record October 19, 2026, as the new expiration date on Form I-9.
- Document the automatic extension in the Additional Information field.
- Enter October 19, 2026, as the expiration date in E-Verify.
Somalia TPS Officially Ends
USCIS has officially confirmed that Temporary Protected Status for Somalia terminated on August 14, 2026.
The decision follows the Department of Homeland Security’s determination that Somalia no longer satisfies the statutory conditions required for TPS designation. USCIS also referenced recent litigation developments following the Supreme Court’s decision in Mullin v. Doe.
What This Means for Somali TPS Holders
Effective immediately:
- TPS-based EADs issued under categories A12 and C19 are no longer valid.
- Individuals can continue working only if they possess another valid form of employment authorization.
Employers must promptly:
Employer Responsibilities
- Reverify affected employees using Form I-9 procedures.
- Request valid documentation demonstrating continued work authorization.
- End employment where no lawful work authorization can be presented.
USCIS also clarified that this notice supersedes its previous Somalia TPS guidance issued on August 12, 2026.
Ukraine TPS: Automatic EAD Extension Until October 19, 2026
USCIS has also announced that Ukraine’s TPS designation is scheduled to terminate on October 19, 2026. To minimize employment disruptions, certain Ukrainian TPS beneficiaries with pending EAD renewal applications will receive an automatic extension of employment authorization through October 19, 2026.
Eligible EAD Expiration Dates
The automatic extension applies to TPS-based EADs showing either of the following expiration dates:
- October 19, 2023
- April 19, 2025
When presented together with the USCIS extension notice, these documents remain valid as List A evidence for employment eligibility through October 19, 2026.
Employer Compliance
Employers should:
- Enter October 19, 2026, in Sections 1 and 2 of Form I-9.
- Record the automatic extension in the Additional Information field.
- Use October 19, 2026, as the E-Verify expiration date.
Why These Updates Matter
These latest USCIS announcements highlight the importance of closely monitoring TPS-related changes, particularly for employers responsible for employment verification and compliance.
Key Takeaways:
- Sudan: Eligible TPS beneficiaries receive automatic EAD extensions through October 19, 2026.
- Ukraine: Eligible TPS beneficiaries also receive automatic EAD extensions through October 19, 2026.
- Somalia: TPS officially ended on August 14, 2026, making TPS-based EADs invalid unless another lawful work authorization exists.
- Employers should promptly update Form I-9 records and E-Verify where applicable to remain compliant with federal employment regulations.
As immigration policies continue to evolve, TPS beneficiaries and employers are encouraged to review official USCIS guidance and seek legal advice where necessary.
Original Official Sources
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) / E-Verify
