Sudanese and Ukrainian immigrants in the United States will retain temporary protection from deportation despite their immigration status being scheduled to expire on Monday, October 19, 2026, as Washington withdraws similar relief from several African and other foreign nationals.
- Other African countries such as Cameroon, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia have recently lost similar protections under changing US immigration policies.
- Sudanese and Ukrainian immigrants in the US will keep temporary protection from deportation past their scheduled expiration in October 2026, pending further government announcements.
- Beneficiaries of TPS, including Sudanese and Ukrainians, remain uncertain about their long-term status as no formal extension has been announced.
- El Salvador retains TPS despite its protection expiration date passing, while protections for Haitians and Syrians are being ended, raising humanitarian concerns.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed on Sunday that eligible nationals of both countries could continue living and working in the US pending further announcements.
A DHS spokesperson told CBS News that decisions concerning the two countries would "be made at the appropriate time", leaving existing protections in place without announcing a formal extension.
According to Congressional Research Service data, more than 100,000 Ukrainians and 1,790 Sudanese nationals were enrolled in Temporary Protected Status (TPS) as of March 2025.
The reprieve contrasts with President Donald Trump's wider immigration crackdown, which has targeted similar protections for nationals of several countries, including Cameroon, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Haiti, Syria, Venezuela, Afghanistan, Honduras and Nicaragua.
African countries face withdrawal of protections
Established in 1990, TPS allows eligible foreign nationals from countries affected by armed conflict, natural disasters or humanitarian crises to live and work in the US without facing deportation.
Sudan has held TPS designation since the late 1990s, while Ukraine received protection in 2022 following Russia's full-scale invasion.
However, several African countries have lost similar protections under the current administration, with the terminations taking effect at different times.
Cameroon's designation ended in August 2025, followed by South Sudan and Ethiopia in August 2026, while Somalia's protections also faced termination and legal challenges.
El Salvador retains protection as Haiti faces deportation risks
El Salvador remains an exception to Washington's immigration crackdown, with its nationals retaining Temporary Protected Status (TPS) after the September 2026 deadline passed without a final decision from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The reprieve comes as El Salvador continues to cooperate with the US on deportations, having received hundreds of Venezuelan and Salvadoran deportees at its high-security Terrorism Confinement Centre (CECOT) in March 2025.
According to Reuters, about 170,000 Salvadorans hold TPS, including 152,000 workers who contribute an estimated $5.4 billion annually to the US economy.
The delay has raised questions about possible economic and diplomatic considerations, although Washington has not explained its decision or established any link to El Salvador's cooperation on deportations.
Haiti, meanwhile, faces a different outcome, despite continuing gang violence, mass displacement and food insecurity.
In June 2026, the US Supreme Court allowed the administration to proceed with terminating TPS protections for Haitian and Syrian nationals, removing a legal obstacle to the policy.
Humanitarian organisations have raised concerns about the safety of returning Haitian nationals amid the country's security crisis.
The administration maintains that TPS provides temporary humanitarian relief and that decisions to extend or terminate designations depend on assessments of conditions in individual countries.
Uncertainty remains for beneficiaries
For immigrants whose TPS designation ends, the consequences may include losing work permits and facing deportation unless they qualify for another legal immigration status.
Sudanese and Ukrainian nationals, meanwhile, remain protected while DHS prepares its next announcement.
The reprieve is particularly significant as Sudan continues to face civil war and Ukraine remains affected by Russia's invasion.
However, neither country has received a formal extension, leaving beneficiaries uncertain about their longer-term status in the United States.