United States: DHS Announces Termination of Temporary Protected Status for South Sudan
November 5, 2025
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At a glance
- Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem will not extend the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for South Sudan, which expired on November 3, 2025, but beneficiaries will be granted a transition period through January 5, 2026.
- Beneficiaries with certain previously issued EADs will continue to be work authorized during the transition period.
A closer look
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is not extending the South Sudan Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation, but will provide a 60-day transition period, according to a Federal Register notice scheduled to be published November 6. The South Sudan TPS designation expired on November 3, 2025, but beneficiaries will be granted a transition period through January 5, 2026, which is 60 days after publication of the Federal Register notice. Beneficiaries will remain work-authorized throughout the transition period.
According to the Federal Register notice, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has determined that the conditions for a TPS designation no longer exist for South Sudan.
Background
South Sudan was initially designated for TPS in 2011, and the designation was extended several times. The designation was most recently extended in May 2025 for a six-month period, from May 3, 2025 to November 3, 2025.
Employment authorization during 60-day transition period
DHS recognizes that TPS beneficiaries under the South Sudan designation continue to be employment-authorized during the 60-day transition period. Accordingly, through the Federal Register notice, DHS automatically extends the validity of certain EADs previously issued under the designation, through January 5, 2026.
As proof of continued employment authorization for the 60-day transition period, South Sudan TPS beneficiaries can present an EAD that has the notation A-12 or C-19 under “Category” and a “Card Expires” date of November 3, 2023; May 3, 2025; or November 3, 2025.
Employers will need to reverify the employment eligibility of impacted employees who presented South Sudan TPS EADs as proof of work authorization, and update their records to indicate the new January 5, 2026 expiration date.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
