TPS

Russia’s relentless attacks have forced hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians to remain abroad longer than expected. Unfortunately, many Ukrainians who sought refuge in the United States are now stuck in limbo as their temporary statuses expire while they await renewals that may never come. As a result, many could soon lose their employment authorization, while others have already lost their jobs, benefits, and housing. Between lengthy application processing delays, expiring legal statuses, shrinking immigration pathways, and increasingly aggressive enforcement operations, many Ukrainians are fearful about their safety in the United States. But returning home is not an option for most of these Ukrainians. Right now, no part of Ukraine is safe. In addition to the threat of launched explosives, enemy occupation, and environmental hazards, Ukraine faces constant electricity and water shortages following intensive strikes, leaving millions without heat as fall approaches. Those who sought refuge here deserve a chance to live in safety, provide for themselves and their families, contribute to communities that welcomed them, and pursue more stable futures in the United States. Congress and the administration can take steps to help safeguard protections and promote the well-being of Ukrainians who can’t return home. Read more

Ukraine’s TPS designation that was set to expire on October 19, 2026 has been automatically extended for another 6 months to April 19, 2027. By operation of law, if the Secretary of DHS does not make a final decision on whether to extend, redesignate, or terminate a country's TPS designation at least 60 days before it expires, the designation is automatically extended. This extension does not create a new designation expanding TPS eligibility, so only Ukrainians who arrived in the U.S. on or before August 16, 2023 and have been continuously residing here since are eligible. As of now, no further action is needed by current TPS beneficiaries to extend their TPS protection. DHS must still review and make a final decision on whether to extend or terminate Ukraine's TPS after it expires. It remains to be seen how USCIS will handle automatic work permit extensions for qualifying beneficiaries, which are set to expire October 19, 2026. Read more

Here are our top immigration advocacy goals for Ukrainians. Share the below flyer and help us spread the word about these important issues! Read more

On June 9, 2025, USCIS issued a memo authorizing immigration officers to resume processing applications filed by parolees. This follows the federal District Court’s May 28th order directing DHS to lift the suspension that had been in effect since February 14. This means that USCIS has resumed processing applications from parolees for work permits, TPS, asylum, green cards, and other immigration benefits. Although the District Court's ruling is good news for Ukrainian parolees seeking more stable immigration statuses and employment authorization, parolees who filed applications in the past 5-10 months could still see long wait times due to major application backlogs. Additionally, re-parole requests and related work permits may not be approved for all applicants due to the White House's restrictions on humanitarian parole grants. Read more

Ukrainian nationals who currently hold TPS and wished to extend their TPS status through October 19, 2026 were required to re-register for TPS with USCIS. The 60-day re-registration window started January 17, 2025 and ended March 18, 2025. Ukrainians who did not re-register to extend their TPS status through October 19, 2026 if they can show good cause for why they are filing their re-registration late. Read more

Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced an extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ukraine for 18 months, through October 19, 2026, due to the ongoing war and extraordinary conditions in Ukraine that prevent individuals from safely returning. Ukrainian nationals (and individuals without nationality who last resided in Ukraine) are eligible to re-register for TPS if they arrived on or before August 16, 2023 and have been continuously residing in the United States since that date -- with or without lawful immigration status. Read more

Many Ukrainians who arrived in the U.S. since Feb. 2022 qualify for both TPS and humanitarian parole/re-parole. Although individuals can hold both of these statuses at the same time, there are some key differences. Learn more about the the eligibility criteria, application procedures, periods of protection, access to benefits, advantages and disadvantages of TPS vs. humanitarian parole for Ukrainians in our article here. Read more

For Ukrainians who held TPS in the initial term but have not yet re-registered to extend their TPS status, USCIS provides a limited opportunity for individuals to re-register for TPS if they can show good cause for why they are filing after the October 20th deadline has passed. Read more

Ukrainians who are in the United States on humanitarian parole and/or TPS and wish to travel outside of the U.S. must first apply to USCIS for a travel document. Although the process is the same for most Ukrainians applying for an advance travel document, the type of travel document issued and how long it's valid depends on the applicant's status. There could be some advantages to traveling with certain types of documents. Read more

Today, DHS announced a redesignation of Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), as well as an extension of TPS for Ukraine for 18 months from October 20, 2023 through April 19, 2025. Ukrainians who arrived in the U.S. on or before August 16, 2023, may be eligible to apply for the new TPS period. Ukrainians who already hold TPS may register to extend their status. Read more