A lot has changed in a short amount of time for Somali nationals with Temporary Protected Status. DHS had moved to terminate Somalia’s TPS designation, with that termination set to take effect on March 17, 2026. Then, just before that date, a federal court stepped in and stayed the termination. USCIS followed with updated guidance on March 27, 2026, confirming that the earlier termination update had been superseded.
For Somali TPS beneficiaries, families, and employers, this is about far more than whether a work permit remains valid. It affects immigration status, compliance decisions, planning, and what people should and should not assume about their rights right now. Understanding those implications is essential to making informed decisions in the weeks ahead.
The March 27 USCIS Update Did Not Reverse the Termination Decision
The first point to understand is that DHS did not withdraw its decision to terminate Somalia’s TPS designation. What changed is that on March 13, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued an order staying that termination in African Communities Together et al. v. Noem et al., No. 26-cv-11201. USCIS then updated its guidance on March 27, 2026, making clear that the prior March 17 posting had been superseded. In other words, the agency’s termination decision still exists, but the court order temporarily stopped it from taking effect as scheduled.
What The Update Means for Workers & Employers
- For workers: One part of the update deals with Employment Authorization Documents. People with qualifying EADs can continue showing valid work authorization during the court-ordered extension. EADs issued under Somalia’s TPS designation with original expiration dates of March 17, 2023, Sept. 17, 2024, and March 17, 2026 are extended by court order.
- For employers: USCIS issued specific guidance for Form I-9 and E-Verify. For Form I-9, employers should enter “as per court order” in Section 1 and “May 18, 2026” in Section 2, then add a note in the additional information box. For E-Verify, employers should use May 18, 2026, as the expiration date listed on the Form I-9. USCIS also says employers may download the TPS Somalia webpage and keep it with their Form I-9 records.
The update also raises practical questions beyond employment. For Somali TPS holders and their families, this is a time to review documents carefully, pay close attention to official updates on the TPS Somalia page, and make decisions with the understanding that the legal situation is still evolving.
Helping You Respond to the Latest Somalia TPS Developments
For Somali TPS holders and their families, this update raises urgent questions that reach beyond employment authorization alone. It can affect current status, documentation, timing, and the decisions people make while the case continues to move through the courts.
We can help individuals and families make sense of the March 27, 2026 USCIS update, review how the court-ordered stay may affect their current situation, and evaluate next steps based on the latest available guidance. For employers, our team can also help clarify the compliance side of the update.
At Mathur Law Offices, P.C., clients benefit from a long-standing immigration practice that has served Dallas, Fort Worth, and Denton for more than 25 years. The firm’s attorneys bring more than 100 years of combined experience to immigration matters, and founding attorney Sanjay Mathur is board-certified in immigration law. Attorney Mathur’s leadership helps shape the firm’s approach to complex immigration issues, including fast-moving updates like the court-ordered pause in Somalia TPS termination.
Call (888) 867-5191 or book online to schedule a confidential consultation with experienced Dallas immigration lawyers.