On June 25, 2026, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruled that the executive administration has the legal authority to end TPS for Haiti and Syria. The decision impacts 1.3 million TPS holders in the United States who must now consider their legal options to stay in the United States or prepare their departure.
This guide answers the most urgent questions immigrants have about the Supreme Court decision to end TPS for Haiti and Syria. Documented spoke with Hasan Shafiqullah, Immigration Supervising Attorney at The Legal Aid Society, a nonprofit organization assisting immigrants and advocating for their rights in New York. He shared advice and tips about what TPS holders should do now.
Here’s what you need to know:
- TPS holders still have employment authorization and can legally work until DHS officially terminates the program.
- Consult a licensed immigration lawyer for every possible alternative pathway, including family petitions, asylum, U visas and other forms of relief.
- Follow the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) website and the Federal Register for any updates about the effective termination date.
- Your house, car, and bank accounts are still yours, but you need a plan.
What did the Supreme Court decide on TPS for Haiti and Syria?
The Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration has the legal authority to end TPS for Haiti. This decision reverses previous lower court orders that had blocked the termination. This means that the legal blocks preventing the end of this protection have been removed.
The lower courts must take back the cases, apply the Supreme Court’s ruling, clearing the way for the DHS to finalize TPS terminations and set effective end dates.
According to Shafiqullah, there’s normally a 32‑day period before the mandate issues, after which the higher court’s decision becomes practically effective.
I am under TPS, when will my status actually end?
The ruling does not mean immediate deportation. There are court orders and administrative timelines that still apply. While the legal barrier is gone, the Department of Homeland Security must still implement the change.
According to Shafiqullah, people should monitor the official Federal Register and DHS announcements for the exact effective date of termination.
What does this ruling mean immediately for TPS holders and their work authorization?
The ruling does not immediately strip TPS holders of their status or their right to work. For now, people with TPS keep their work permits and protection against detention or deportation while the case is returned to the lower courts. USCIS will decide when any termination will take effect.
“For today, nothing changes. So, people continue to have employment authorization, they’re entitled to work, they’re entitled to not be detained by ICE. You can’t be detained or deported,” Shafiqullah said.
However, this is a temporary situation. Once the legal process and agency decisions play out, TPS holders without another form of relief could eventually lose both their status and their work authorization.
Can I still work legally after the date of termination?
No, unless you have another valid immigration status or work permit. Your current Employment Authorization Document (EAD) will expire on the termination date. Employers will be required to stop accepting it. It is illegal for you to continue working after your work permit expires unless you have a different, valid status.
What are my options now?
You are not without options, but they are limited and time-sensitive. Shafiqullah said “you must speak to an immigration lawyer immediately.” Do not go to a “notary” or “consultant.” Find a licensed attorney accredited by the Department of Justice.
For TPS holders, the main option now is to check for any other form of immigration relief and to start concrete planning in case TPS ends.
Am I eligible to adjust to another status after TPS?
A qualified immigration lawyer will let you know if you qualify for asylum, withholding of removal, relief under the Convention Against Torture, family‑based or employment‑based options, or visas for crime or trafficking survivors (U and T visas), as well as possibilities like Special Immigrant Juvenile Status for some young people.
If you have a U.S. citizen spouse, parent, or child, you might be eligible for a family-based green card. If you are an essential worker, some employment-based visas might be an option.
If you do not have a path to stay, you can request “voluntary departure” from an immigration judge. This allows you to leave on your own terms and may help you avoid a formal deportation order on your record, which could bar you from returning in the future.
At the same time, people should make advance plans for the care and custody of the U.S.‑citizen children, pets and property, including guardianship documents, powers of attorney, and decisions about whether to sell a home or car.
“All those plans need to be put into place now, because once you’re in detention, or certainly after you’re deported, it’s much more difficult to do that,” Shafiqullah said.
What about my children who were born in the U.S.?
If you have a U.S. citizen child, they are not impacted by your TPS status. However, you are. It is crucial to discuss guardianship and family planning with your lawyer. They can help you understand your legal rights as a parent, even if you are not a citizen.
What are my employer’s responsibilities?
Employers cannot fire you or take action before your work authorization officially expires. Once your TPS-based Employment Authorization Document (EAD) reaches its expiration date (and has not been automatically extended), your employer is required to reverify your work authorization. If you can’t provide new, valid documents, they cannot legally continue to employ you.
If you need pro bono lawyers in New York, you can consult our guide here.
For legal assistance, Haitian immigrants can call the MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365. The line is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
