Court Pauses Yemen TPS Termination

A federal court has temporarily blocked the termination of Temporary Protected Status for Yemen, allowing eligible beneficiaries to remain in the United States while the legal case continues. The court found that the Department of Homeland Security may not have followed required procedures before ending the TPS designation, including proper interagency consultation.

The ruling pauses an earlier DHS decision that planned to end Yemen TPS on May 4, 2026, with a 60-day wind-down period. The court order now preserves temporary protection for nearly 2,800 affected individuals.

USCIS Extends Work Authorization

Following the court decision, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued updated guidance confirming that certain Employment Authorization Documents under Yemen TPS remain valid. EADs with previous expiration dates of March 3, 2023, September 3, 2024, and March 3, 2026 are now extended through July 1, 2026.

USCIS also gave Form I-9 instructions for employers. New employees and re-hires should write “as per court order” in Section 1, while employers must enter July 1, 2026, as the expiration date in Section 2 or Supplement B. Employers are also advised to keep USCIS alert documentation with I-9 records.

Employers And TPS Beneficiaries Face Uncertainty

The decision provides short-term relief for Yemen TPS beneficiaries by preserving their work authorization. However, uncertainty remains as litigation continues, and future court rulings may change the requirements.

Employers should closely follow USCIS updates and maintain accurate I-9 documentation. The U.S. Supreme Court is also expected to rule on TPS-related cases involving Haiti and Syria by the end of June, which may influence other pending TPS termination cases.