What happens if TPS ends in California depends on each person’s immigration circumstances.
In general, a person may lose protection from deportation and, where applicable, the work authorization associated with the program.
TPS is also a federal immigration benefit. California cannot extend a TPS designation or prevent the federal government from terminating it, although the state does provide certain workplace protections and legal resources for immigrants.
LATINOS WITH OVER 60 YEARS EXPERIENCE
Tell Us Your Case
What Happens if TPS Ends?
When the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) terminates a country’s TPS designation and the decision takes effect, beneficiaries lose the protections that depended on that program.
A person without another immigration status or benefit may:
- Lose the protection from deportation provided by Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in the United States.
- Lose TPS-based employment authorization.
- Be left without another form of immigration protection that allows them to remain in the country.
- Become subject to removal proceedings.
- Begin or resume accruing unlawful presence, depending on their immigration history and the facts of their case.
This is why understanding what happens if TPS ends requires reviewing both the country’s designation and the individual’s immigration history.
As long as a designation remains in effect, beneficiaries may continue to receive protection if they meet the eligibility requirements. When it ends, the consequences also depend on whether they have any separate immigration status, authorization, or protection.
If a person becomes subject to removal proceedings, it is important to understand the options for relief from deportation.
Is TPS Still in Effect?
It depends on the country and the specific designation. Some remain in effect, others have received a TPS extension, and others have ended or are subject to administrative and court decisions.
To check the current status of TPS, review:
- The country and the applicable designation.
- The latest updates from USCIS or DHS.
- The effective date of any extension or termination.
- The validity of the employment authorization document.
- Any court decisions that may affect the designation.
USCIS maintains an official page on the current status of Temporary Protected Status, while DHS publishes TPS-related updates.
Federal Register notices can also be consulted to verify the most recent decisions.
What Happened to TPS for El Salvador?
September 9, 2026, was the reference date for El Salvador’s TPS designation. However, USCIS stated that it would issue a new announcement about the designation.
While that announcement is pending, USCIS indicates that Salvadorans in the United States with TPS retain their protection, including the corresponding employment authorization.
Therefore, September 9, 2026, did not automatically end TPS for all Salvadoran beneficiaries.
Which Countries Have Active TPS or Pending Dates in 2026?
Among the most significant developments as of October 2026 are:
- Sudan and Ukraine: Their current TPS periods run through October 19, 2026, unless new decisions are issued.
- Lebanon: Its designation was automatically extended through November 27, 2026.
- El Salvador: Beneficiaries remain protected while awaiting a new USCIS announcement.
On the other hand, terminations affecting several countries occurred during 2025 and 2026:
- Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua: The terminations have been in effect since the Ninth Circuit stayed a court decision in February 2026 that had set them aside. Litigation is ongoing. You can find more information about TPS for Honduras.
- Haiti: USCIS reported that the designation ended effective July 27, 2026.
- Syria, Yemen, Burma (Myanmar), South Sudan, Somalia, and Ethiopia: Their TPS designations also ended during 2026.
- Venezuela: The 2021 and 2023 TPS designations for Venezuelans were subject to termination decisions in 2025. However, certain document-related circumstances and court rulings require an individual review.
These dates should not be interpreted as a guarantee of protection for everyone from the same country. The outcome may depend on the designation, documents issued, and applicable court decisions.
What Happens to Your Work Permit if TPS Ends?
One of the most significant consequences may be the loss of TPS-based work authorization.
You should not assume that an employment authorization document (EAD) remains valid simply because its printed expiration date has not passed. USCIS may announce automatic extensions, new expiration dates, or instructions specific to each designation.
Before continuing to work with a TPS-based EAD, check:
- The employment authorization category, usually A12 or C19 when tied to TPS.
- The expiration date.
- The applicable TPS designation.
- Any extensions announced by USCIS.
- Any new notices received.
If a person has separate employment authorization that does not depend on TPS, that authorization must be evaluated under the category on which it is based.
It is also important to determine whether a termination immediately affects work authorization or whether any transitional provisions or court orders apply.
What Rights Do Workers in California Have if They Lose TPS?
Losing TPS or federal employment authorization does not automatically eliminate the workplace rights associated with work already performed in California.
Key protections include:
- Payment of wages owed.
- Minimum wage and overtime pay.
- Rest and meal breaks.
- Safe working conditions.
- Protection against certain forms of retaliation.
For example, if an employer still owes wages for work already performed, losing TPS does not mean the employer can refuse to pay them.
However, these workplace protections do not replace federal employment authorization. They are separate legal matters.
Can You Be Deported if Your TPS Ends in California?
Yes. You may become subject to removal proceedings if you lose TPS and have no other immigration status or protection.
However, the termination of TPS does not automatically result in deportation.
Your circumstances will depend on factors such as:
- Whether you have another immigration status.
- Whether you have a pending petition or application.
- Whether you previously received a removal order.
- Whether you have a case in immigration court.
- Whether you may qualify for any form of relief from removal.
If you already have an immigration court case, you can also check the Executive Office for Immigration Review’s official immigration case information.
What Rights Do You Keep if TPS Ends?
Even if a person loses TPS and has no other immigration status, they still have basic constitutional rights in the United States.
These include:
- The right to remain silent.
- The right not to voluntarily consent to a search of their home.
- The right to seek assistance from an attorney.
The scope and application of these protections can depend on the circumstances of each encounter.
What Happens if ICE Detains You?
Someone who loses TPS and has no other protection may face a greater risk of immigration enforcement action.
In California, it is helpful to know what to do if ICE agents come to your home before finding yourself in that situation.
If you have a prior immigration history, removal orders, or pending proceedings, it is also important to review those records with an attorney beforehand.
How Can You Stay in the United States After TPS Ends?
There is no automatic process for converting TPS into lawful permanent resident status.
However, some people may qualify for a Green Card while holding TPS through a separate immigration pathway.
The following options may be worth evaluating.
Adjustment of Status
An eligible person may be able to pursue lawful permanent residence through adjustment of status within the United States.
However, holding TPS alone does not guarantee eligibility to adjust status. Factors such as how the person entered the country, the basis of the petition, and applicable legal requirements must be assessed.
Asylum
Some people who fear returning to their home country may need to review the requirements for applying for asylum in the United States.
Asylum is separate from TPS and has its own eligibility requirements, including filing deadlines and any applicable exceptions.
Family-Based Petitions
A petition filed by a relative who is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident may provide an immigration pathway in certain circumstances.
Having a family-based petition does not automatically give someone lawful immigration status or protection from deportation while the petition is pending.
It is therefore important to distinguish between having a petition filed or approved and actually having an immigration status that permits a person to remain in the United States.
Consular Processing
When someone cannot complete adjustment of status in the United States, it may be necessary to consider consular processing to obtain an immigrant visa.
Before leaving the United States, the person’s immigration history must be reviewed. Someone who accrues more than 180 days of unlawful presence and then leaves the country may face a three-year bar to reentry. Accruing one year or more may result in a ten-year bar.
These consequences depend on how unlawful presence accrued and the individual’s circumstances. Leaving the country without first evaluating the case can therefore significantly complicate a Green Card application.
Immigration Waivers
Depending on the immigration violations involved, it may also be necessary to evaluate the types of immigration waivers that may be available.
Not everyone qualifies for a waiver, and each waiver has different requirements. Eligibility depends on the ground of inadmissibility and the conditions established by law.
Cancellation of Removal
If a person is placed in immigration court proceedings, they may be able to pursue cancellation of removal.
For certain nonpermanent residents, the main requirements include:
- At least 10 years of continuous physical presence in the United States, subject to applicable legal rules.
- Good moral character during the required period.
- No convictions for certain disqualifying offenses.
- Showing exceptional and extremely unusual hardship to certain qualifying relatives who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.
This relief is requested before an immigration judge and is not available to everyone who loses TPS.
What Should You Do if TPS Is Terminated?
If DHS announces the termination of a TPS designation, review your immigration circumstances and the effective termination date as soon as possible.
Have the following documents ready: