The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), together with E-Verify, has released updated guidance affecting individuals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) from Burma (Myanmar), South Sudan, and Somalia. The changes impact the validity of certain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) and the employment verification responsibilities of U.S. employers.

TPS Ends for Burma (Myanmar) and South Sudan

Effective August 7, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officially terminated the TPS designations for Burma (Myanmar) and South Sudan, concluding that conditions in both countries no longer meet the statutory requirements for TPS.

As a result:

• Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) issued under TPS with Category A12 or C19 are no longer valid.
• Employers are required to reverify employment authorization for affected employees.
• Employees who cannot present valid documentation establishing continued work authorization may no longer be legally employed in the United States.

USCIS also confirmed that this guidance supersedes earlier TPS announcements issued for Burma and South Sudan in August 2026.

Somalia TPS Receives Temporary Court-Ordered Protection

While DHS has also announced the termination of Somalia’s TPS designation, a federal court order currently remains in effect, temporarily preserving certain employment authorization benefits for eligible Somali TPS beneficiaries.

Under the court order:

• EADs with original expiration dates of:
  • March 17, 2023
  • September 17, 2024
  • March 17, 2026, will continue to remain temporarily valid.
• Employers should enter “as per court order” in Section 1 of Form I-9 where applicable.
• In Section 2 of Form I-9, employers should use August 12, 2026, as the EAD expiration date and record the court-ordered extension in the Additional Information field.
• For E-Verify submissions, employers should also enter August 12, 2026, as the employee’s EAD expiration date.

USCIS emphasized that these provisions are temporary and remain in effect while federal courts continue reviewing the legal implications of the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 25, 2026, decision regarding TPS terminations.

Why This Matters

These updates have immediate implications for both TPS beneficiaries and U.S. employers. Individuals from Burma and South Sudan who relied on TPS-based work authorization should review their current immigration status and explore alternative legal options if eligible. Employers should promptly complete required I-9 reverification procedures to remain compliant with federal employment laws.

Somali TPS beneficiaries should continue monitoring official USCIS announcements, as the current employment authorization extension is subject to ongoing court proceedings and may change based on future judicial decisions.

Official Sources

• USCIS / E-Verify – Burma (Myanmar) TPS Update: https://www.e-verify.gov/about-e-verify/whats-new/update-on-termination-of-temporary-protected-status-for-burma-release-aug
• USCIS / E-Verify – South Sudan TPS Update: https://www.e-verify.gov/about-e-verify/whats-new/termination-of-temporary-protected-status-for-south-sudan-release-aug-7
• USCIS / E-Verify – Somalia TPS Update: https://www.e-verify.gov/about-e-verify/whats-new/update-on-termination-of-temporary-protected-status-for-somalia-release-6
• USCIS Temporary Protected Status: https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status