When Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is lifted, beneficiaries immediately lose their legal ability to live or work in the United States. That change in status places them in the country unlawfully, classifying them as illegal aliens under federal immigration law. This reality is now at the forefront of national debate as the Department of Homeland Security moves forward with major TPS terminations affecting hundreds of thousands of foreign nationals.

DHS recently announced the end of TPS protections for Myanmar, effective November 2025, and for Haiti, effective February 2026. Together, these decisions will impact more than 350,000 individuals who have been living in the U.S. under temporary humanitarian provisions—some for years. Once the designations expire, work authorizations are void and lawful presence ends, triggering immediate immigration consequences.

According to immigration officials, the lifting of TPS does more than end employment eligibility—it reactivates long-dormant removal orders. Former acting ICE Director Tom Homan noted that once TPS protections are withdrawn, “ICE is obligated to prioritize removals for individuals with no remaining legal right to stay.” DHS guidance mirrors that stance, emphasizing that post-TPS individuals become subject to detention and deportation proceedings.

The issue comes amid heightened scrutiny of immigration fraud, particularly involving TPS and employment-based visas. Investigations in Minnesota revealed cases of Somalis exploiting TPS documentation and engaging in H-1B visa fraud schemes, raising concerns about systemic loopholes that enable long-term overstays and identity misuse. Officials argue that ending TPS designations without strict enforcement risks further incentivizing abuse.

Supporters of the terminations say the program was never intended to serve as a permanent residency pathway. They argue that restoring immigration law consistency requires ending decades-long extensions and ensuring that temporary status remains truly temporary. Critics counter that large-scale expirations could disrupt communities and labor sectors where TPS holders have established deep roots.

With deadlines approaching for both Haiti and Myanmar, federal agencies are preparing for a significant operational shift. Work permits will expire, legal status will end, and tens of thousands will enter unlawful presence overnight. For ICE and DHS, the challenge will be balancing enforcement priorities with logistical demands—while the broader debate over immigration reform continues to intensify.