The United States has extended the validity of work permits for hundreds of thousands of migrants from Haiti and six other countries holding Temporary Protected Status (TPS), offering short-term relief just hours before many permits were due to expire.
According to international media reports, the Donald Trump administration announced the extension for TPS beneficiaries from Haiti, Ethiopia, Syria, Somalia, Yemen, South Sudan, and Myanmar.
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said work permits for Haitian nationals will now remain valid until July 24, while permits for migrants from the other six countries will expire one week later.
The move comes despite last month’s US Supreme Court ruling allowing the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status for citizens of Haiti and Syria.
TPS allows eligible foreign nationals already living in the United States to remain in the country and work legally if conditions such as armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary circumstances make it unsafe for them to return home.
Labour unions had urged the administration to extend the permits, warning that allowing them to lapse could create workforce disruptions and negatively impact key industries.
The Trump administration has continued its tough immigration crackdown and deportation campaign, which has drawn widespread criticism from human rights organisations. Critics argue that the measures undermine due process and free speech protections, while the administration maintains its focus on tightening both illegal and legal immigration policies.
FAQs
Q1: Which countries are included in the US work permit extension?
A: The extension applies to eligible Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders from Haiti, Ethiopia, Syria, Somalia, Yemen, South Sudan, and Myanmar.
Q2: What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?
A: TPS is a humanitarian programme that allows eligible foreign nationals already in the United States to live and work legally when returning to their home countries is unsafe due to war, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions.
Q3: Why did the US extend these work permits?
A: The permits were extended shortly before their expiry to prevent disruptions for hundreds of thousands of workers and to avoid labour shortages in key industries, following concerns raised by labour organisations.
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