South Sudan Nationals Secure Temporary Extension Of US TPS Protections

August 8, 2026
By Mintesinot Nigussie

South Sudan nationals covered by Temporary Protected Status in the United States have secured a temporary extension of their protections after a federal court blocked the programme’s termination. The US District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued an order on December 30, 2025, staying the planned termination of TPS for South Sudan that had been scheduled to take effect on January 5, 2026.

Under the court order, TPS beneficiaries will retain their status and employment authorisation, while existing documentation remains valid. Employment Authorisation Documents carrying category A12 or C19 are also covered by the extension. The current relief is limited and will remain in place while lower courts address the implications of the US Supreme Court’s June 25, 2026 decision in Mullin v. Doe, according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

The employment authorisation period covered by the current extension runs through August 10, 2026. Beneficiaries can have their TPS status verified through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements system using TPS-related documents, including approval notices. USCIS said the verification system will provide a manual response indicating that the beneficiary has temporary employment authorisation, with an employment-authorised date of August 10, 2026.

TPS is a US humanitarian immigration programme that allows nationals of designated countries facing armed conflict, natural disasters or other extraordinary and unsafe conditions to remain in the country and work legally. USCIS said South Sudan TPS beneficiaries should regularly check its official TPS webpage for updates as the litigation proceeds.

Source: FSX Business News