TPS Status in 2026: El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua Explained
Last reviewed: October 25, 2026Key takeaway: This overview explains the current Temporary Protected Status (TPS) situation in 2026 for El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua. Salvadoran TPS beneficiaries continue to receive protection and employment authorization pending further government guidance, according to USCIS. DHS terminated the TPS designations for Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua in 2025, and a February 2026 federal appellate order stayed a district court decision that had vacated those terminations.
What Is the Current TPS Situation in 2026?
Temporary Protected Status allows eligible nationals of designated countries to remain temporarily in the United States when qualifying conditions prevent their safe return. TPS may provide protection from removal and eligibility for employment authorization, but it does not automatically provide lawful permanent residence or a green card.In 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rescinded earlier TPS termination decisions involving El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua and announced extensions of those designations. Those announcements were important at the time, but they no longer describe the full legal situation.This 2026 overview presents the status of TPS for each country, the legal decisions shaping that status, and practical considerations for affected individuals.For the original announcement and historical context, read our earlier article: DHS Rescinds Prior Administration’s Termination of TPS Designations for Four Countries .TPS Status by Country: October 2026
| Country | Relevant Legal Background | Current Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| El Salvador | The previously announced extension ran through September 9, 2026. | USCIS states that TPS holders retain protection and work authorization pending a further announcement. |
| Honduras | DHS terminated the designation effective September 8, 2025. | A February 2026 appellate stay suspended a district court ruling vacating termination. |
| Nepal | DHS terminated the designation effective August 5, 2025. | The same appellate stay affects the district court ruling concerning Nepal. |
| Nicaragua | DHS terminated the designation effective September 8, 2025. | The same appellate stay affects the district court ruling concerning Nicaragua. |
El Salvador TPS Status in 2026
The TPS situation for El Salvador reflects the January 2025 DHS decision extending the country’s TPS designation for 18 months, from March 10, 2025, through September 9, 2026.As that expiration date approached, USCIS issued guidance addressing employment authorization documents (EADs) for eligible Salvadoran beneficiaries.Importantly, USCIS subsequently stated that an announcement regarding El Salvador’s TPS would be made at the appropriate time and that Salvadoran individuals present in the United States under TPS retain protection, including work authorization, until such an announcement is made.Therefore, the September 9, 2026 date should not be interpreted, by itself, as proof that all Salvadoran TPS protections ended on that date. Beneficiaries and employers should follow updated USCIS guidance, particularly regarding evidence of continuing employment authorization.Official source: USCIS: TPS Designated Country — El Salvador .Honduras TPS Status in 2026
The TPS situation for Honduras is shaped by a DHS notice terminating the country’s designation effective September 8, 2025.The termination was challenged in federal court. On December 31, 2025, a federal district court vacated the termination decisions affecting Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua.However, on February 9, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit stayed that district court order pending appeal. Consequently, the district court’s ruling cannot be treated as an operative restoration of TPS protections.Honduran nationals affected by the termination should seek individualized legal guidance about their current immigration status, employment authorization, and any alternative forms of relief.Nepal TPS Status in 2026
For Nepal, the current TPS situation reflects DHS’s termination of the country’s designation effective August 5, 2025.Nepal was also included in the litigation that resulted in the December 2025 district court decision. The Ninth Circuit’s February 9, 2026 stay suspended the district court’s vacatur while the appeal proceeded.Individuals who previously held TPS under Nepal’s designation should not assume that a pending lawsuit automatically preserves TPS or extends their employment authorization.Nicaragua TPS Status in 2026
The TPS situation for Nicaragua includes the DHS termination of the country’s designation effective September 8, 2025.As with Honduras and Nepal, the termination became the subject of federal litigation. Although a district court vacated the termination in December 2025, the Ninth Circuit stayed that decision in February 2026 pending appeal.Nicaraguan beneficiaries should verify whether they have any independent immigration status, pending applications, or other potential forms of immigration relief.How Do Court Decisions Affect TPS Protection in 2026?
Understanding the TPS situation in 2026 requires considering federal court litigation, which can affect the implementation of TPS termination decisions. However, a court ruling may later be stayed, reversed, or modified.In National TPS Alliance v. Noem, the district court vacated DHS termination decisions concerning Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua on December 31, 2025.On February 9, 2026, the Ninth Circuit granted the government’s request to stay that vacatur pending appeal. This distinction is essential: a district court judgment and an appellate stay do not have the same legal effect.Case reference: National TPS Alliance v. Noem — Ninth Circuit, Case No. 26-199 .What Should TPS Beneficiaries Do Now?
- Check the official USCIS country page. Confirm the latest TPS designation information, alerts, and employment authorization guidance.
- Review your immigration documents. Examine your TPS approval notices, EAD, receipt notices, and any pending applications.
- Do not assume an automatic EAD extension. Employment authorization depends on applicable official rules and individual documentation.
- Evaluate other immigration options. Depending on personal circumstances, an individual may qualify for a separate immigration benefit or form of relief.
- Consult an immigration attorney. Obtain advice before making decisions involving employment, international travel, or immigration filings.