United States | DHS terminates designation of South Sudan for TPS, effective Jan. 5

Today, the Department of Homeland Security published notice in the Federal Register (FRN) terminating the designation of South Sudan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), effective Jan. 5, 2026.

Key Points:

• Reason for termination: According to the notice, the decision follows an interagency review in which the DHS secretary determined that “the situation in South Sudan no longer meets the criteria for an ongoing armed conflict that poses a serious threat to the personal safety of returning South Sudanese nationals.”
• Employment authorization validity dates: The FRN states, “DHS recognizes that South Sudanese Temporary Protected Status beneficiaries continue to be authorized to work during the 60-day transition period. Accordingly, through this Federal Register notice, DHS automatically extends the validity of certain Employment Authorization Documents previously issued under the Temporary Protected Status designation of South Sudan through Jan. 5, 2026. Therefore, as proof of continued employment authorization through Jan. 5, 2026, Temporary Protected Status beneficiaries can show their Employment Authorization Documents that have the notation A-12 or C-19 under Category and a ‘Card Expires’ dates of Nov. 3, 2023, May 3, 2025, and Nov. 3, 2025.”

Additional Information: Under the TPS statute, DHS must review country conditions at least 60 days before a designation expires. If conditions no longer warrant protection, the designation may be terminated.

In May, because the DHS secretary “was unable to make an informed determination on South Sudan’s designation by the March 4, 2025, statutory deadline due to the lack of an updated analysis of current country conditions in South Sudan,” the designation of South Sudan for TPS was automatically extended for six months effective May 4, 2025, through Nov. 3, 2025.

BAL continues to monitor related developments and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

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

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