Overview:
U.S. immigration officials (USCIS) have released a new update for Haitians with Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Work permits are now officially valid until July 1, 2026. The new date helps employers know exactly how to fill out hiring paperwork so Haitian workers can get or keep their jobs.
U.S. immigration officials have announced that work permits for Haitians with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) are now valid until July 1, 2026.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released the update after a federal judge blocked the government from ending TPS for Haitian nationals in February while a court case over the program continues. The federal government had to give workers and employers a clear date to use on official documents such as driver’s licenses and employment end dates.
The extension applies to many Haitian work permits (EADs), including those that originally expired on February 3, 2026, or even older cards dating back to 2017.
For many Haitian workers, this news is a big relief. Before this update, some employers were confused about whether they could keep Haitian staff on the payroll. Now, USCIS has given clear instructions on how to update the “Form I-9,” which is the form used to certify that someone is allowed to work in the U.S.
What you need to do now
To make sure Haitian employees can keep working legally, USCIS says employers should follow these steps on Form I-9:
- For the worker: In the section for the expiration date, write: “as per court order.”
- For the employer: In the expiration date box, write: “July 1, 2026.”
- Extra note: Employers should also write a small note about the court case and can print out the USCIS website page to keep with their files.
This extension is temporary while the Supreme Court, which is now hearing the case in April, makes a ruling on the future of the program. For now, the 350,000 Haitians protected by TPS cannot be deported and are legally allowed to work.