USA Keeps Protection for Ukrainians with TPS After October 19: What is Known About the Work

Ukrainians who already have Temporary Protected Status (TPS) continue to enjoy protection from deportation and the right to work in the USA. Despite the expiration of the previous TPS deadline on October 19, these guarantees remain in effect until further notice. This is reported by CBS News citing DHS.

TPS for Ukrainians in the USA: What Applies After October 19, 2026

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security provided clarification on October 18. The office indicated that final decisions regarding programs for citizens of Ukraine and Sudan would be made “in due time.” Until announced, TPS participants will retain their protection.

This important clarification comes for those who were expecting the program to conclude on Monday, October 19. Meanwhile, DHS did not specify a new final deadline. Therefore, the current statement should not be interpreted as a definitive extension of TPS for a specified number of months.

The clarification specifically pertains to individuals already covered by the program. It does not imply automatic provision of TPS to all Ukrainians in the USA or the opening of a new entry mechanism into the country.

The USCIS page regarding Ukraine also notes the preservation of protection, including work authorization. Questions about the validity of specific documents should be verified according to the latest announcements from the immigration service.

Temporary Protection in the USA: How TPS Differs from Other Programs

TPS temporarily protects individuals from deportation from countries where it is unsafe to return due to war, natural disasters, or other crises. For Ukrainians, the program was implemented in the spring of 2022 following the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion.

Previously, the USA had extended protection for Ukrainian refugees. According to CBS News, as of March 2025, over 100,000 citizens of Ukraine had TPS. This is a historical figure, not a new count as of October 2026.

Some participants arrived in the USA through a sponsorship humanitarian program. However, the humanitarian permit known as parole and TPS are different grounds: a decision regarding one does not automatically determine the fate of the other.

This distinction is important in the context of previous changes in the processing of immigration applications. The current DHS statement maintains guarantees for TPS participants, but does not resolve all issues related to other statuses and applications from Ukrainians in the USA.