A US federal court has temporarily blocked an immigration service decision that shortened the validity period of work permits for Ukrainian citizens holding Temporary Protected Status (TPS). This ruling, issued by a district court in Massachusetts, provides Ukrainians with a reprieve, although it is effective only until October 18, 2026.

On July 21, 2026, a judge issued an administrative injunction halting the actions of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Previously, the agency had attempted to retroactively annul the automatic extension of Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) for those who applied for renewal between January 17 and March 18, 2025. Plaintiffs argued that they had received notifications of a 540-day extension, but the immigration service later decided to revoke this action.

Why the decision was made urgently

The court noted that without intervention, many TPS holders risked losing their legal right to work as early as July 22, 2026. The temporary injunction aims to maintain the status quo until a final verdict is reached. The substantive court proceedings have not yet concluded, and the next ruling on the injunction request is expected no later than August 5, 2026.

It is important to understand that even if the plaintiffs win the lawsuit, this decision concerns only work permits. The Temporary Protected Status (TPS) itself for Ukraine and Sudan has been extended until October 19, 2026. The court ruling extends the validity of work cards by just one day earlier — until October 18. The future of the TPS status itself depends on the decision of the US administration and is not guaranteed by the current process.

What employees and employers should do

Temporary protection applies to TPS recipients whose work permits were automatically extended. In this regard, experts offer the following recommendations:

  • Employees: It is necessary to keep copies of all notifications from USCIS and court orders confirming the legality of their status at the current moment.
  • Employers: Carefully review the text of the court order before making personnel decisions. Do not automatically fire employees or refuse to hire based solely on the date of July 22, 2026, as the validity of their permits is currently suspended by the court.

Context: Changes in the EU and the "Home" Platform

The situation with migration rules is changing not only in the US. Previously, the European Union also updated the rules for granting temporary protection to Ukrainians. The status was extended for another year — until March 4, 2028, although the conditions for obtaining it have become stricter.

For those considering the possibility of returning home, a special platform called "Home" ("Domoy") has been launched. The service helps plan the move, offering step-by-step recommendations: from finding housing and employment to enrolling children in educational institutions.