USCIS Announces Termination of Temporary Protected Status for Somalia

• USCIS confirmed that Temporary Protected Status for Somalia terminated on August 14, 2026, and that TPS-based Employment Authorization Documents issued under the designation are no longer valid.  

Termination of Temporary Protected Status for Somalia 

On August 14, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued updated guidance confirming the termination of Somalia’s Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation. The guidance supersedes a prior agency message issued on August 12, 2026.  

According to USCIS, former Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem previously determined that Somalia no longer met the statutory conditions required for TPS designation following a review of country conditions and consultation with relevant U.S. government agencies. USCIS also cited the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 25, 2026, decision in Mullin v. Doe as part of the legal backdrop for the termination.  

What Changed? 

USCIS confirmed that Somalia’s TPS designation officially terminated on August 14, 2026. As a result: 

• TPS protections for Somalia beneficiaries have ended.  
• Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) issued under TPS Somalia with category codes A12 or C19 are no longer valid.  
• Employers must reverify affected employees’ employment authorization.  

Employer Considerations 

USCIS emphasized that employers must reverify employees who previously presented TPS Somalia EADs for Form I-9 purposes. Employers may not continue employing an individual who cannot provide valid evidence of current employment authorization.  

Organizations employing Somali nationals should review their workforce records and ensure compliance with Form I-9 reverification requirements where applicable.  

Why It Matters 

The termination of Somalia TPS may affect work authorization for individuals who relied on TPS-based employment authorization. Employers should take prompt action to verify whether affected employees hold another valid form of work authorization and update Form I-9 records as necessary.  

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