‘Temporary’ in Name Only: How TPS Lets Foreigners Stay in US Years

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) has long been a lifeline for people from countries facing war, disasters, or other crises. Even though the word “temporary” is in the name, many people have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 under TPS for years or even decades. Recent changes by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in 2024 and 2025 have brought new uncertainty for hundreds of thousands of TPS holders. Here’s a clear update on what’s changed, who is affected, what actions are needed, and what these changes mean for people with pending or future TPS applications.

Summary of Recent Changes to TPS Designations (2024-2025)

The Department of Homeland Security regularly reviews the conditions in countries with TPS designations. In the past year, DHS has announced several major changes:

• Termination of TPS for Haiti: DHS first extended Haiti’s TPS in July 2024, then shortened it in February 2025, and finally announced its end on June 27, 2025, with an effective date of September 2, 2025. However, a federal judge blocked this early termination on July 1, 2025, so the final outcome is still pending in court.
• Termination of TPS for Afghanistan: TPS for Afghanistan ends on July 12, 2025, affecting over 9,000 people.
• End of TPS for Cameroon and Nepal: Both countries’ TPS designations ended in June 2025, impacting more than 7,000 individuals.
• Upcoming End for Honduras and Nicaragua: TPS for these countries is set to terminate in July 2025.
• Ongoing Extensions for Other Countries: TPS remains in place for Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, and Yemen.
• Venezuela TPS Uncertainty: DHS reversed an extension for Venezuela in early 2025, causing confusion and lawsuits. Some Venezuelan TPS holders will lose status in April 2025, while others will lose it in September 2025, depending on when they first received TPS.

As of late 2024, about 1,095,115 people from 16 countries held TPS in the United States 🇺🇸. The largest groups are from Venezuela (505,400), Haiti (260,790), and El Salvador (174,190).

Who Is Affected by These Changes?

The recent changes affect both current TPS holders and those with pending applications:

• Haitian TPS Holders: Up to half a million Haitians could lose work authorization and legal status if the termination goes forward in September 2025. For now, a court order has paused the termination, but the situation remains uncertain.
• Afghan, Cameroonian, and Nepalese TPS Holders: These groups must prepare for the end of their TPS designations in mid-2025. Without another legal status, they will lose protection from deportation and work authorization.
• Honduran and Nicaraguan TPS Holders: These individuals face the end of their TPS in July 2025.
• Venezuelan TPS Holders: The expiration dates for Venezuelan TPS vary by cohort, with some losing status in April 2025 and others in September 2025.
• Other Nationalities: People from Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, and Yemen continue to have TPS, but must stay alert for future DHS reviews.

Effective Dates and Deadlines

• Haiti: TPS termination was set for September 2, 2025, but is currently blocked by a court order.
• Afghanistan: TPS ends July 12, 2025.
• Cameroon and Nepal: TPS ended in June 2025.
• Honduras and Nicaragua: TPS ends in July 2025.
• Venezuela: TPS expires in April 2025 for some, September 2025 for others.
• Haitian EADs (work permits): Auto-extended through February 3, 2026, even though TPS is set to end earlier.

Required Actions for TPS Holders

If you are a TPS holder from a country with a terminated or soon-to-end designation, here are the steps you should take:

1. Check Your Status: Confirm your country’s TPS designation and expiration date on the official USCIS TPS page.
2. Monitor Court Decisions: For Haitians and Venezuelans, court cases may change the timeline. Stay updated through trusted sources.
3. Seek Legal Advice: If your TPS is ending, talk to an immigration lawyer or a trusted legal aid group. They can help you explore other ways to stay in the United States 🇺🇸, such as family-based petitions, asylum, or work visas.
4. Apply for Other Benefits: If you qualify for another immigration status, apply as soon as possible. Some TPS holders may be able to adjust status if they have a U.S. citizen spouse or child over 21.
5. Prepare for Departure: If you have no other options, DHS encourages voluntary return. You can use the CBP Home app to report your departure.
6. Keep Your Documents Updated: Make sure your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is current. Some EADs are auto-extended, but you must check the latest notices.

Implications for Pending Applications

If you have a pending TPS application and your country’s designation is ending:

• If Approved Before Termination: You will get TPS and related benefits until the end date.
• If Not Approved Before Termination: Your application will likely be denied, and you will not receive TPS benefits.
• If Your EAD Is Pending: If your TPS is approved, you may still get an EAD, but only for the remaining time before TPS ends.

For those with pending applications from countries with ongoing TPS, you will continue to receive protection and work authorization if your application is approved.

How TPS Became “Temporary” in Name Only

TPS was created by the Immigration Act of 1990 to help people from countries facing war, disasters, or epidemics. The idea was to give short-term protection until it was safe to return home. In practice, many TPS designations have been extended over and over. For example:

• El Salvador: TPS has been in place since 2001.
• Haiti: TPS started in 2010.
• Sudan and Honduras: TPS has lasted for decades.

This means some people have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 under TPS for 10, 20, or even more years. They can work and live legally, but they do not have a direct path to permanent residency or citizenship. When TPS ends, they must find another way to stay or leave the country.

Why Do TPS Designations Last So Long?

• Ongoing Crises: Many countries with TPS still face violence, disasters, or political problems, making it unsafe to return.
• Regular Reviews: DHS reviews each country’s situation every 6 to 18 months. If conditions have not improved, TPS is often extended.
• Legal Challenges: When DHS tries to end TPS, lawsuits often delay the process. Courts have blocked or paused terminations for countries like Haiti and Venezuela.
• Political Debates: Different administrations have different views. President Biden’s administration extended TPS for many countries, while President Trump’s administration and now DHS Secretary Kristi Noem have pushed to end or shorten TPS.

What Benefits Does TPS Provide?

TPS holders receive:

• Protection from Deportation: They cannot be removed from the United States 🇺🇸 while TPS is in effect.
• Work Authorization: They can apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to work legally.
• Travel Authorization: They may apply for permission to travel outside the United States 🇺🇸 and return.

However, TPS does not provide:

• A Path to Permanent Residency: TPS holders must find another way to get a green card or citizenship.
• Automatic Family Benefits: Family members do not automatically get TPS unless they qualify on their own.

Step-by-Step TPS Process (2025 Update)

1. Country Designation: DHS Secretary, after consulting with the State Department and other agencies, designates a country for TPS due to war, disaster, or other crises.
2. Registration Period: Nationals of the designated country must apply for TPS during a set registration window. The application is made using Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status.
3. Continuous Presence: Applicants must show they have been physically present in the United States 🇺🇸 since a certain date.
4. Approval and Benefits: If approved, applicants receive protection from removal, work authorization, and may apply for travel documents.
5. Periodic Review: DHS reviews the country’s situation every 6-18 months to decide whether to extend, redesignate, or end TPS.
6. Extension or Termination: DHS announces changes in advance. If TPS ends, holders must adjust status or prepare to leave.

Perspectives from Experts and Stakeholders

• DHS Officials: Say TPS must remain truly temporary and should end when countries are safe again.
• Advocacy Groups: Argue that many TPS holders have built lives in the United States 🇺🇸 and face real danger if forced to return. They call for a path to permanent residency.
• Legal Experts: Point out the complex legal battles that often delay TPS terminations and the uncertainty this creates.
• TPS Communities: Many feel anxious and fearful about losing their status, especially large groups like Haitians and Venezuelans.

Practical Implications for TPS Holders

• Uncertainty: Every review brings worry about losing status and work authorization.
• No Direct Path to Green Card: TPS holders must look for other options, such as family petitions or asylum.
• Risk of Deportation: When TPS ends, those without another status become removable.
• Auto-Extension of EADs: DHS sometimes auto-extends work permits to avoid gaps, but this is not guaranteed for all.

What Should TPS Holders Do Now?

• Stay Informed: Check the USCIS TPS page and trusted news sources for updates.
• Consult Legal Help: Get advice from immigration lawyers or organizations like the National TPS Alliance or CASA.
• Prepare Documents: Keep all paperwork up to date and ready for any new applications.
• Explore Other Options: If you qualify for another status, apply as soon as possible.

Looking Ahead: The Future of TPS

The fate of TPS for Haiti and Venezuela will depend on court decisions expected later in 2025. DHS may continue to review and end TPS for countries they believe are now safe, while extending it for others still in crisis. There is ongoing debate in Congress and among the public about whether TPS should offer a path to permanent residency or remain strictly temporary.

President Biden’s refugee resettlement goals—125,000 admissions in fiscal year 2025—show a different approach to humanitarian protection compared to TPS, which is meant to be short-term. As reported by VisaVerge.com, these policy debates are likely to continue as more TPS designations come up for review.

Where to Find Official Information and Help

• DHS TPS Information: USCIS TPS page
• Federal Register: For official TPS designation and termination notices
• Legal Assistance: National TPS Alliance, CASA, and immigration law firms
• CBP Home App: For voluntary departure reporting if TPS ends

Key Takeaways and Next Steps

• Check your country’s TPS status and expiration date.
• Stay alert for court decisions and DHS announcements.
• Seek legal advice if your TPS is ending or if you have a pending application.
• Apply for other immigration benefits if you qualify.
• Keep your documents and work permits current.

Temporary Protected Status remains a vital but uncertain form of relief for many. With recent terminations, ongoing lawsuits, and policy debates, TPS holders must stay informed and prepared for changes that could affect their lives and futures in the United States 🇺🇸. For the most up-to-date information, always refer to the official USCIS TPS page and consult trusted legal resources.

Learn Today

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) → A humanitarian immigration status protecting eligible nationals from deportation temporarily.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) → U.S. federal agency overseeing immigration, security, and enforcement policies.
Employment Authorization Document (EAD) → A permit allowing TPS holders to work legally in the United States.
TPS Designation → Official government decision granting certain countries’ nationals protection under TPS.
TPS Termination → The ending of TPS status for nationals when conditions in their country improve.

This Article in a Nutshell

Temporary Protected Status offers crucial relief for people from crisis regions. Recent 2024–2025 DHS changes threaten status for hundreds of thousands. Court blocks delay some terminations, but many face uncertain futures. TPS holders should check status, seek legal advice, and prepare for possible changes to their immigration options.
— By VisaVerge.com