The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued updated guidance on work authorization for nationals of countries covered by Temporary Protected Status (TPS) whose immigration cases are still affected by ongoing legal challenges over the planned termination of the programme.
The agency also announced temporary work authorization validity dates for several countries. Citizens of Somalia, Ethiopia, Syria, Myanmar, South Sudan, and Yemen will remain covered through July 17, 2026, while Haiti has a separate validity period extending to July 24, 2026.
Somalia’s Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation and the protections linked to it were originally due to lapse on March 17, 2026.
Days before the expiry date, on March 13, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts halted the planned termination by issuing a stay in the case African Communities Together et al. v. Noem et al.
Consequently, Somali TPS beneficiaries will continue to keep their protected status and work authorisation for as long as the court order remains in force.
According to USCIS, Employment Authorisation Documents (EADs) bearing the category codes A12 or C19 remain valid and have been automatically extended under the court’s ruling.
USCIS explained that the extension is only a temporary measure while the legal challenge continues, pending further action by the District Court after the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 25, 2026, ruling in Mullin v. Doe.
USCIS also stated that government agencies using the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) programme will be able to confirm whether an individual has an approved Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation that remains valid and has not been withdrawn.
For individuals from Somalia who are covered by TPS, manual verification through the SAVE system will identify them as “Temporary Protected Status — Employment Authorized — Temp Emp Auth,” with their employment authorisation recognised as valid through July 17, 2026.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said notes displayed in the system will explain that both Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and employment authorisation have been extended under a court order, while advising agencies to monitor the USCIS TPS Somalia webpage for the latest updates.
According to USCIS, the protected status of Somali TPS beneficiaries and their eligibility to work will remain in place only while the court proceedings continue.
The agency encouraged relevant authorities to keep checking the USCIS TPS Somalia webpage for the latest information and said they can also sign up to receive notifications through Granicus Communications.
