The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Monday, October 19, 2026, that more than 100,000 nationals from Ukraine and Sudan may remain in the United States past the scheduled expiration of their legal protections. The announcement provides a temporary reprieve for individuals whose right to stay under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program was set to end that day.
Congress established TPS in 1990 to allow foreign nationals already in the U.S. to live and work legally if their home countries are experiencing armed conflict or natural disasters. Ukraine was first designated for the program in April 2022 following the Russian invasion, while Sudan's designation dates back to 1997 due to ongoing political instability. While the program prevents deportation, it does not provide a path to permanent residency.
DHS stated in a written release that a formal announcement regarding the future of these designations "will be made at the appropriate time." Until that occurs, approximately 101,000 Ukrainians and 1,800 Sudanese covered by the program will "retain protection." The department did not specify how long this reprieve would last or if the affected individuals could renew their work permits, though TPS generally includes work authorization.
The move follows a change in practice by the Trump administration roughly a month ago, when it similarly allowed approximately 200,000 Salvadorans to remain past their September 9 deadline without a final decision. By delaying a determination, the administration maintains the status quo for these populations while reserving the right to terminate the protections later.
The next steps remain unspecified, as DHS has not set a date for a final announcement. Under federal rules, if the Homeland Security Secretary does not make a determination at least 60 days before a designation expires, TPS is automatically extended for six months. Advocates and a bipartisan group of lawmakers continue to call for longer-term extensions, citing the ongoing war in Ukraine and civil conflict in Sudan as reasons why it remains unsafe for these groups to return home.