USCIS Terminates TPS for Burma and South Sudan: Work Permits Expire

USCIS confirmed on August 7, 2026 that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for Burma (Myanmar) and South Sudan have been terminated. This action follows federal court rulings in the First Circuit and Northern District that cleared the way for DHS to end the protections for these countries. The decision affects roughly 4,000 individuals from Burma and about 232 from South Sudan who had relied on TPS to live and work in the United States. With TPS ending, certain employment authorization documents tied to TPS (EADs with categories A12 for Burma and C19 for South Sudan) are no longer valid as of the termination date. The consequence is that these workers lose both their protection from removal and their lawful work authorization unless they obtain another lawful status. Employers must move quickly to reverify the work eligibility of affected employees and ensure compliance with Form I-9 requirements; failing to act can expose the company to penalties. For individuals, the horizon now depends on other immigration options, including family-based sponsorship, asylum, refugee programs, or other humanitarian pathways where eligible. The overall shift is part of a broader recalibration of TPS across the DHS portfolio, intended to prioritize long-standing humanitarian protections while focusing resources on individuals who meet specific humanitarian standards. Stakeholders should monitor USCIS and DHS guidance for any transitional deadlines or relief programs and seek counsel to map out realistic pathways. The news underscores ongoing policy changes around temporary protections, asylum, and border control, with real consequences for families and employers nationwide.