Since our original January 13, 2026 coverage of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and humanitarian parole changes, significant developments have occurred in the TPS and parole landscape — including major court rulings affecting key designations, restoration of some protections, and crucial clarifications from AILA’s most recent Practice Alert. Below is an updated, comparative summary for attorneys, employers, and individuals tracking these evolving protections.
1. Family Reunification Parole: Court Orders Restore Status for Some Parolees
In January, we noted that Family Reunification Parole (FRP) had been terminated by DHS for Colombians, Cubans, Ecuadorians, Guatemalans, Haitians, and Hondurans, with the termination effective January 14, 2026.
New:
A federal district court in January 2026 entered multiple orders staying the termination of FRP, restoring parole processing for affected parolees and delaying the government’s termination plan.
This means that individuals whose Family Reunification Parole was set to end may now continue to pursue benefits until litigation resolves. This restoration is a significant change from early January when FRP appeared to be ending entirely.
2. TPS Designations — Terminations, Extensions, Litigation Updates
In our earlier article, we summarized TPS terminations and auto-extensions for several nationalities. The latest AILA chart shows new court decisions and procedural changes affecting many of those countries.
A. Haiti — From Termination to Stayed Termination
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Early January: Haiti’s TPS was scheduled to terminate on February 3, 2026.
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Now: A federal judge issued a court order staying the termination of Haiti’s TPS, effectively restoring protections and work authorization for TPS beneficiaries, though the government has indicated it may appeal.
This aligns with recent federal news, where judges blocked cancellation of TPS protections for hundreds of thousands of Haitian nationals — providing temporary stability while litigation continues.
B. Burma (Myanmar) — Litigation Restores TPS
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Prior: Terminated and auto-extended EADs through January 26, 2026.
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Now: A U.S. District Court in Illinois vacated the termination decision entirely, allowing beneficiaries to continue working based on court orders.
This judicial intervention represents a major post-January shift for Burmese TPS holders.
C. Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua — Litigation Reversals
For Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua, terminations announced in 2025 were previously in effect. However:
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Courts vacated termination decisions and extended EAD validity under court orders for all three.
These developments were not reflected in the January 13 article and are critical for beneficiaries and employers to know.
3. Somalia & South Sudan — New Terminations and Litigation
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Somalia: DHS published termination effective March 17, 2026, with previous EAD auto-extensions now winding down.
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South Sudan: Termination was stayed by a federal court and EADs extended by order, though USCIS continues to disagree.
Both updates signal new uncertainty and require close monitoring.
4. TPS Still Active or Extended for Others
Certain designations continue actively:
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El Salvador, Sudan, Ukraine, Yemen, and Lebanon remain designated with active TPS and auto-extended EADs.
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Syria: A federal judge blocked the termination of Syria’s TPS status in late 2025, carrying forward into early 2026.
These statuses have not materially changed since our last article, but remain important to note for 2026 planning.
5. Parole Programs
Our January coverage touched on CHNV and U4U parole programs:
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CHNV parole remains terminated (Cuba, Haiti, Nicaraguans, Venezuelans).
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U4U (Uniting for Ukraine) parole is still active, though USCIS paused new I-134A submissions — unchanged from early January.
New: The latest AILA chart confirms that Afghan Parole programs remain suspended and that Military Parole in Place continues without changes.
What This Means Now
For TPS Beneficiaries and Applicants
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Court orders have halted terminations for several country programs, meaning work authorization and legal status may continue longer than DHS initially promised.
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However, litigation outcomes are dynamic — beneficiaries should stay updated and consult counsel regularly.
For Employers
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Employers must track EAD validity carefully, especially where court orders affect TPS expiration dates.
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SAVE and E-Verify systems may reflect conflicting guidance, making documentation review essential.
For Legal Practitioners
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The post-January AILA alert shows that judicial intervention is shaping TPS and parole outcomes more than DHS announcements alone.
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Tracking case law, Federal Register notices, and updated AILA charts is now indispensable.
Conclusion
Since early January 2026, the TPS and parole landscape has continued to shift rapidly. Court rulings reversing or staying terminations — especially for Haiti, Burma, Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua — are the biggest developments. Meanwhile, several designations remain active or have extended EADs, and key parole categories continue unchanged. Practitioners and clients should use the updated AILA Practice Alert as a primary reference and remain vigilant as litigation and policy evolve.
Stay Compliant with the Latest U.S. Immigration Updates
Recent immigration changes now impact non-citizen travel, visa issuance, biometric screening, premium processing fees, and asylum, TPS, and parole cases. If you or a loved one may be affected by these developments—or are experiencing delays, additional screening, or changing eligibility—experienced legal guidance is essential.
📞 Contact the Law Firm of Anna Korneeva today at (513) 334-3008 to review your options, confirm compliance, and protect your immigration status.
