The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Sunday that citizens from Ukraine and Sudan will continue to benefit from Temporary Protected Status (TPS), while similar protections are being revoked for nationals from several African countries, including Cameroon, Ethiopia, and Syria. Both groups can remain in the U.S. and work legally as the DHS considers future announcements regarding their status.
A DHS spokesperson informed CBS News that decisions regarding the TPS for Ukraine and Sudan would be made “at the appropriate time,” which implies that existing protections remain in effect for the moment without a formal extension being declared.
As of March 2025, more than 100,000 Ukrainians and 1,790 Sudanese nationals were enrolled in TPS, according to data from the Congressional Research Service.
While the DHS took this step for Ukrainian and Sudanese nationals, other African nations have seen the termination of their TPS protections under the current administration. The contrast is noteworthy against the broader immigration policies that aimed at reducing similar protections instituted during previous administrations.
Changes in TPS Protections
TPS, which began in 1990, allows eligible foreign nationals from countries experiencing armed conflict, natural disasters, or humanitarian crises to live and work in the U.S. without the threat of deportation. Conversely, several countries have lost these protections, with terminations occurring at varying times.
El Salvador is an exception in the current landscape. Following the deadline for a decision in September 2026, Salvadorans continue to hold TPS, as the DHS did not issue a final ruling. This comes as El Salvador cooperates with the U.S. on deportation matters, having received deportees at its high-security Terrorism Confinement Centre in March 2025. Currently, around 170,000 Salvadorans benefit from TPS, contributing approximately $5.4 billion annually to the U.S. economy.
Meanwhile, Haiti does not share this reprieve despite ongoing challenges such as gang violence and mass displacement. Following a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in June 2026, the administration is set to conclude TPS for Haiti and Syria, allowing the terminations to move forward, further risking the safety of Haitian nationals amid a precarious security situation.
Humanitarian organizations have voiced concerns regarding the potential dangers for Haitians facing deportation under the current conditions, urging for ongoing protections.
As Sudan remains embroiled in civil war and Ukraine continues to deal with the ramifications of the ongoing invasion by Russia, nationals from these countries can still remain in the U.S. However, without a formal extension from the DHS, the long-term status for TPS beneficiaries remains uncertain.
