United States | USCIS posts July 24 update on Form I-9 guidance for Somalia and Syria TPS designations

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services published updates on the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for Somalia and Syria, extending the validity dates for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) per respective court orders. The updates also provide instructions for completing expiration date fields on Form I-9 and completing a case in E-Verify.

Key takeaways:

In the alert posted for Somalia to the agency’s I-9 Central webpage, USCIS directs employers that “[w]hen completing the Expiration Date (if any) fields on Form I-9, input ‘as per court order’ in Section 1 and ‘July 29, 2026’ in Section 2 along with a note in the additional information box. Employers may download the Alert and TPS Somalia webpage and attach them to Form I-9. When completing a case in E-Verify, enter the expiration date of ‘July 29, 2026’ from the Form I-9. Check USCIS websites regularly for updated information.”

The alert posted for Syria instructs employers to put “July 27, 2026” as the expiration date and attach the TPS Syria webpage.

Somalia: According to the update, “The validity of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) issued under the TPS designation of Somalia with an original expiration date of March 17, 2023, Sept. 17, 2024, and March 17, 2026, is extended per court order. African Communities Together et al. v. Noem et al., No. 26-cv-11201 (D. Mass.). The extension is limited relief until the lower courts align with the U.S. Supreme Court’s favorable decision in Mullin v. Doe, 609 U.S. (2026), issued on June 25, 2026.”

Syria: According to the update, “The validity of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) issued under the TPS designation of Syria with an original expiration date of Sept. 30, 2025, March 31, 2024, Sept. 30, 2022, or March 31, 2021, is extended per court order. Dahlia Doe v. Noem, 25-cv-8686 (S.D.N.Y.). The extension is limited relief until the U.S. Supreme Court’s mandate issues in Mullin v. Doe, 609 U.S. (2026), reversing the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York’s judgement postponing the termination of Syria’s TPS designation.”

Additional Information: The updates on Form I-9 guidance for Somalia and Syria supersede the guidance issued on July 17. Individuals should continue to check the respective USCIS TPS country pages for current information.

Employers are encouraged to retain copies of the relevant alerts and country-specific webpages with affected Forms I-9 and consult with their BAL attorney for case-specific guidance. Litigation remains ongoing, and BAL will continue to monitor and provide updates as more information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group.

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