Ethiopia TPS: Federal Court Stays Termination, Auto-Extends EADs and Protections
- XAVIO
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
By Xavio
February 14, 2026
A Massachusetts federal district court has temporarily blocked the termination of Ethiopia TPS, which was scheduled to end today. The January 30, 2026 court order stays the Department of Homeland Security’s decision while litigation proceeds, preserving TPS benefits and work authorization for Ethiopian beneficiaries.
Current Status of Ethiopia TPS
On January 30, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued an order in African Communities Together et al. v. Noem et al., 1:26-cv-10278 (D. Mass., filed Jan. 22, 2026), staying DHS’s termination of Ethiopia TPS. As a result:
Ethiopian TPS beneficiaries retain their status and all associated benefits, including protection from deportation and eligibility for employment authorization.
USCIS has automatically extended certain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) issued under the Ethiopia TPS designation with original expiration dates of June 12, 2024 or December 12, 2025 until further notice.
USCIS updated its website on February 14, 2026 to reflect the court’s stay and the EAD auto-extension.
The government is expected to appeal the district court’s order, which could affect the duration of the stay.
Official USCIS Page: For the latest information on Ethiopia TPS and EAD extensions, visit the USCIS Temporary Protected Status page for Ethiopia at https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status
For ongoing immigration and visa updates, visit VisasUpdate.com.
Background on Ethiopia TPS
Ethiopia was first designated for TPS in December 2022 due to ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary conditions. The designation was extended in April 2024 for 18 months, covering the period from June 13, 2024 through December 12, 2025.
In December 2025, DHS announced it would not extend the designation further but provided a 60-day transition period through February 13, 2026, during which beneficiaries remained work-authorized.
The court’s stay halts this termination pending resolution of the litigation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ethiopia TPS
What happened to the scheduled termination of Ethiopia TPS?
A federal district court order issued on January 30, 2026 has temporarily stayed the termination while legal challenges continue.
Are Ethiopia TPS beneficiaries still protected?
Yes. Beneficiaries retain TPS status, protection from removal, and work authorization during the stay.
Which EADs have been auto-extended?
EADs issued under Ethiopia TPS with original expiration dates of June 12, 2024 or December 12, 2025 are automatically extended until further notice.
Will the government appeal the court order?
The government is likely to appeal. Employers and beneficiaries should monitor developments closely.
What should employers do regarding Form I-9?
No immediate reverification is required due to the stay and EAD auto-extension. Continue accepting the auto-extended EADs as valid List A documents.
Ethiopia TPS remains in effect pending the outcome of the litigation and any appeals. Further court decisions could impact the duration of protections. Stay informed through official USCIS announcements.
Comments