If you can gain temporary protected status (TPS) in the United States, this means you can have years of work authorization here, and more importantly, physical safety from your home country, which is experiencing extraordinarily unsafe conditions. Even though this may feel like a blessing, you must not lose sight of the fact that this is a temporary opportunity, as the name suggests. So, you must be prepared for the date when the U.S. government decides or orders that your status has expired or is no longer observable. With that in mind, please follow along to find out what happens when your temporary protected status ends and how a proficient Baltimore County, Maryland asylum lawyer at Sheri Hoidra Law Office, LLC can help ensure you maintain a legal presence in the U.S. at all times.
What happens to my temporary protected status if my country is no longer designated?
Namely, to be eligible for temporary protective status, you must be a national of a country, or a certain part of a country, that is specifically designated by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). At the start of 2026, the current list of countries includes Burma, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Haiti, Honduras, Lebanon, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Yemen.
However, the DHS can terminate this designation at any time. For example, on December 12, 2025, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem ended TPS for Ethiopia, which subsequently ceased benefits on February 13, 2026, 60 days after publication of the notice in the Federal Register. After this date, work permits may have been automatically extended for a short period to allow affected individuals to make plans. Generally speaking, though, their legal stay and work authorization end unless they have another valid immigration status or a pending application.
What will happen once my temporary protected status expires?
Sadly, you must prepare to depart from the United States once your temporary protected status expires, and if you do not have another immigration status or application to fall back on. Otherwise, if you are found in the country without a lawful presence, you may put yourself at risk of immigration enforcement by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Namely, you may receive a Notice to Appear (NIA) to a formal removal or deportation proceeding before an immigration court.
And if this legal proceeding results in your ordered removal from the U.S., you may also hurt your future opportunities to return with another form of legal status. That is, you may face a re-entry bar for three to 10 years. This is unless you can effectively fight this by seeking a cancellation of removal, filing a motion to reopen, or seeking other relief options, like asylum. Of note, yes, asylum status is distinct from TPS.
You probably have more questions regarding this topic, and we would be happy to answer them for you. Please schedule an initial consultation with a talented Baltimore County, Maryland asylum lawyer from Sheri Hoidra Law Office, LLC. We look forward to our conversation with you.