On October 19, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) posted alerts on its Ukraine and Sudan Temporary Protected Status (TPS) pages stating that an announcement on each country’s TPS “will be made at the appropriate time,” and that, until then, TPS holders from those countries “retain protection including work authorization.”
Both designations were most recently extended in Federal Register notices published January 17, 2025 (90 FR 5936 for Ukraine and 90 FR 5944 for Sudan), each running through October 19, 2026. As of this writing, DHS has not published a Federal Register notice extending or terminating either designation, and USCIS has not announced a new end date or a new automatic extension date for TPS-based Employment Authorization Documents (EADs).
Who is affected. The alerts cover Ukrainian and Sudanese nationals who currently hold TPS, as well as the employers who rely on their work authorization. Many of these workers hold EADs in category A12 or C19 that show an October 19, 2026 expiration date, or that USCIS previously extended to that date by notice. Those documents now display a date that has passed, even though USCIS states that work authorization continues.
What employers should consider. HR teams that track EAD expiration dates for Form I-9 reverification may see Ukrainian or Sudanese TPS employees flagged after October 19. Before taking any action based on that date, employers should review USCIS’s current statement on the relevant country page, keep a dated copy of that statement with their I-9 records, and watch for a Federal Register notice that sets a new date or instructions. Treating the October 19 date alone as the end of work authorization may create compliance and employment-law risk.
What TPS holders should consider. Individuals should keep copies of their TPS approval, EAD, and any USCIS extension notices, and should monitor the USCIS country page for the forthcoming announcement, which may include re-registration instructions and deadlines. Those who may qualify for another status, such as adjustment of status through a family member or employer, may wish to evaluate those options now rather than waiting.
If you or your employees may be affected by the Ukraine or Sudan TPS designations, please contact our office.
