Update on Termination of Temporary Protected Status for Somalia

ALERT: After reviewing country conditions and consulting with the appropriate U.S. government agencies, former Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem determined that Somalia no longer met the conditions for designation for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). See Termination of the Designation of Somalia for Temporary Protected Status, 91 Fed. Reg. 1547 (Jan. 14, 2026). Somalia’s TPS designation and related benefits were slated to terminate on March 17, 2026. On March 13, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued an order staying the TPS Somalia termination. African Communities Together et al. v. Noem et al., No. 26-cv-11201 (D. Mass.). What this means for Forms I-766, Employment Authorization Documents (EADs): The validity of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) issued under the TPS designation of Somalia with an original expiration date of March 17, 2023, September 17, 2024, and March 17, 2026, is extended per court order. African Communities Together et al. v. Noem et al., No. 26-cv-11201 (D. Mass.).  The extension is limited relief until the lower courts align with the U.S. Supreme Court’s favorable decision in Mullin v. Doe, 609 U.S. ____ (2026), issued on June 25, 2026. When completing the Expiration Date (if any) fields on Form I-9, input “as per court order” in Section 1 and “Aug. 3, 2026,” in Section 2 along with a note in the Additional Information box. Employers may download the Alert and TPS Somalia webpage and attach them to Form I-9. When completing a case in E-Verify, enter the expiration date of “Aug. 3, 2026,” from the Form I-9. Check USCIS websites regularly for updated information.