Section 1: Overview of TPS termination for Yemen
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced on February 13, 2026 that DHS will end Yemen’s Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation. The key timing detail is procedural: the TPS termination takes effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register, and DHS said further guidance will follow.
Temporary Protected Status is a humanitarian program that lets certain people already in the United States stay temporarily when their home country cannot safely receive returns. In practical terms, TPS can provide:
- Protection from removal while TPS is in effect (you generally are not deported based only on lack of status).
- TPS-based work authorization (an Employment Authorization Document, or EAD, tied to TPS).
- Possible permission to travel if granted separately (typically by requesting travel authorization; leaving without it can create serious problems in many cases).
A TPS termination means those protections end for Yemeni TPS beneficiaries when the termination becomes effective—unless a person has another lawful basis to stay in the United States (for example, a different immigration status, a pending application that provides protection, or another approved benefit).
Three terms matter here:
- An announcement (like the one on February 13, 2026) tells the public what DHS intends to do.
- A Federal Register notice is the official government publication that sets the formal terms.
- The effective date is the legally controlling date. For Yemen TPS, the effective date is triggered by the Federal Register publication and the “60 days” rule. Always confirm the exact date in the Federal Register notice.
Section 2: Historical context and designation timeline
Yemen first received TPS on September 3, 2015. That designation was tied to conditions that made return unsafe, including ongoing armed conflict. TPS designations are grounded in statute and are meant to be temporary. They may be extended or ended based on country conditions and statutory criteria.
Extensions and redesignations typically follow a review process. DHS consults with other U.S. government agencies and then makes an executive determination. When DHS extends TPS, it usually also gives instructions about re-registration, EAD updates, and timelines.
Past renewals do not create a promise of future renewals. Under the TPS statute, DHS may decide that a country no longer meets the requirements for TPS and can move to a termination of designation through formal publication.
Section 3: Effective date, timeline, and procedural details
Federal Register publication is the step that turns the February 13, 2026 announcement into an enforceable schedule. For Yemen, DHS has stated the TPS termination becomes effective 60 days after the Federal Register notice is published. The Federal Register notice controls the exact effective date, so beneficiaries and employers should look there first for the precise calendar date.
A Federal Register notice on TPS termination commonly includes:
- The effective date of the termination and the trigger language.
- Wind-down instructions, meaning a limited period to prepare for the change.
- How employment authorization will be treated, including when TPS-based EADs stop being valid.
- References to USCIS implementation steps, such as updates to TPS web pages, FAQs, and operational instructions.
USCIS guidance can also change after publication. For example, USCIS may post clarifying FAQs about document validity, filing options, or how certain pending applications interact with TPS. Check USCIS resources directly at uscis.gov and your online account tools at my.uscis.gov.
Table 1: Key dates and milestones for Yemen TPS termination
| Event | Date or Trigger | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Yemen initially designated for TPS | September 3, 2015 | Designation tied to armed conflict and related conditions. |
| DHS public announcement of TPS termination | February 13, 2026 | DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced the decision and rationale. |
| Federal Register notice published | Trigger: publication date | The notice sets the controlling dates and instructions. |
| TPS termination effective date | Trigger: 60 days after Federal Register publication | Verify the exact date in the Federal Register notice. |
| Wind-down period actions | Trigger: dates listed in the notice | Often covers employment authorization and departure planning. |
Section 4: Impact on beneficiaries and required actions
Yemen TPS applies to Yemen nationals with TPS and, in some cases, people with no nationality who last habitually resided in Yemen under the designation’s terms. Family members may be in different categories. A spouse or child might have TPS, a different status, or no status at all. Each person’s situation can differ even within the same household.
What ends when TPS ends
Once the TPS termination becomes effective, TPS-based protections generally stop for those who only have TPS:
- Protection from removal tied to TPS ends.
- TPS-based work authorization ends, unless another valid EAD category applies.
- Ability to stay based only on TPS ends.
If someone has another lawful basis to stay, the practical outcome may be different. Examples can include lawful permanent residence, a nonimmigrant status, an approved immigrant petition with a path to adjustment, or certain pending applications that may provide a period of authorized stay or protection in some cases. Those are fact-specific issues.
DHS has indicated that Yemeni nationals with TPS and no other lawful status must depart the United States within required timelines described in the Federal Register notice. After the allowed period ends, a person without status may face enforcement risk, including possible placement in removal proceedings. Risk varies by case, location, and enforcement priorities, so individualized legal review matters.
Practical steps during the wind-down
Act early. Time moves fast once the Federal Register notice is published.
- Confirm what you currently have: TPS approval notices, EAD dates, I-94 records, and any USCIS receipt notices for pending filings.
- Check whether another option may fit: common avenues people ask about include family-based options, asylum or withholding, employment or student categories, adjustment of status where eligible, and other humanitarian programs. Each has eligibility rules and filing deadlines.
- Plan for employment changes: if your work authorization is TPS-based, talk with your employer’s HR team about I-9 requirements and what documents may be needed when the TPS EAD is no longer valid.
- Think carefully before travel: travel can trigger problems if you do not have proper permission or if you have prior immigration violations. Many people should get legal advice before leaving and trying to return.
Table 2: Who is affected and what ends with TPS termination
| Category of Beneficiary | What Ends | Potential Next Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Yemeni TPS beneficiaries with no other lawful status | TPS-based protection from removal; TPS-based work authorization | Review possible immigration filings; plan for departure by required timelines; consult counsel. |
| Yemeni nationals with TPS who also hold another lawful status | TPS ends, but other status may continue | Confirm status validity and compliance; consider whether to extend or change that status if eligible. |
| Yemeni TPS beneficiaries with pending immigration applications | TPS ends; pending case may or may not provide protection | Check whether the pending filing provides authorized stay or other protections; get case-specific advice. |
| Family members in mixed-status households | Different protections may apply person-by-person | Verify each person’s status and documents; avoid assuming one person’s TPS covers others. |
✅ What Yemeni TPS beneficiaries should do now: verify your current immigration documents and status, consult qualified legal counsel for case-specific planning, and prepare for the wind-down period (work, records, and potential filing or departure steps).
Section 5: Rationale and official statements
DHS framed the decision as a statutory country-conditions determination. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated that, after reviewing conditions and consulting with appropriate U.S. government agencies, she determined Yemen no longer meets the law’s requirements for TPS. She also said allowing beneficiaries to remain temporarily in the United States is contrary to the national interest.
TPS decisions sit with the executive branch. Under the statute, DHS evaluates whether a country meets the criteria for TPS, such as conditions that prevent safe return. A termination of designation reflects DHS’s view that the statutory basis is no longer satisfied. That decision then must be implemented through the Federal Register notice, followed by operational guidance.
Section 6: Next steps and guidance availability
Watch the Federal Register closely. That publication sets the exact effective date and any special instructions. USCIS typically posts follow-up information on uscis.gov, including TPS page updates, public alerts, and FAQs that explain how the wind-down works in day-to-day terms.
Employers may also need to track USCIS instructions. Work authorization questions often show up first as HR compliance issues. I-9 rules can be strict, and employers may need to reverify work authorization when a TPS-based EAD expires or becomes invalid.
DHS has not specified an exact count of affected individuals. Plan based on your own documents, not estimates. One person’s dates can differ from another’s if they have different EAD categories or separate pending benefits.
⚠️ Beware of scams and unreliable information; rely on Federal Register notices and official USCIS/DHS guidance for dates and procedures. Be cautious with anyone who promises a guaranteed result, offers “special” access, or asks for money to “reserve” immigration benefits.
This information is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.
Individual circumstances vary; consult a qualified immigration attorney for personalized guidance.
