In a Federal Register notice dated November 5, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) terminated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for roughly 5,000 South Sudanese nationals who have lived and worked lawfully in the United States since civil war erupted in 2011. Recipients now have 60 days—until early January 2026—to depart, change status, or face deportation.
The move follows the Trump administration’s broader strategy of winding down humanitarian protections for several groups, including Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans. DHS argued that security has “sufficiently improved” in South Sudan, though the United Nations warns the 2018 peace deal is fraying and 75 percent of the population requires humanitarian aid.
![DHS ends Temporary Protected Status for 5,000 South Sudanese, setting 60-day exit clock]()
For employers, the decision introduces compliance and workforce-planning headaches. TPS beneficiaries possess unrestricted work authorization; once the designation ends, affected staff lose that benefit unless they secure another status such as H-1B, family sponsorship, or refugee/asylee protection. Companies must update I-9 records by the deadline and may need to offer legal assistance or severance packages.
Immigration lawyers expect litigation, noting that previous TPS terminations under Trump were blocked by courts citing inadequate humanitarian review. Meanwhile, advocacy groups are urging Congress to grant permanent residency to long-time TPS holders who have U.S.-born children and deep community ties.
The South Sudan revocation adds uncertainty for global mobility programs that rely on TPS talent in construction, healthcare, and logistics sectors already grappling with worker shortages. Employers should audit their foreign-national rosters immediately and prepare contingency plans.
The move follows the Trump administration’s broader strategy of winding down humanitarian protections for several groups, including Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans. DHS argued that security has “sufficiently improved” in South Sudan, though the United Nations warns the 2018 peace deal is fraying and 75 percent of the population requires humanitarian aid.
For employers, the decision introduces compliance and workforce-planning headaches. TPS beneficiaries possess unrestricted work authorization; once the designation ends, affected staff lose that benefit unless they secure another status such as H-1B, family sponsorship, or refugee/asylee protection. Companies must update I-9 records by the deadline and may need to offer legal assistance or severance packages.
Immigration lawyers expect litigation, noting that previous TPS terminations under Trump were blocked by courts citing inadequate humanitarian review. Meanwhile, advocacy groups are urging Congress to grant permanent residency to long-time TPS holders who have U.S.-born children and deep community ties.
The South Sudan revocation adds uncertainty for global mobility programs that rely on TPS talent in construction, healthcare, and logistics sectors already grappling with worker shortages. Employers should audit their foreign-national rosters immediately and prepare contingency plans.
