On February 9, 2026, a three-judge panel from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision that affects thousands of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders from Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua.
The court granted the government’s request to pause a prior district court order that had temporarily blocked the termination of TPS for these countries. That earlier order had protected approximately 60,000 TPS holders while the case was pending. By staying that order, the appeals court has now allowed the U.S. government to move forward with ending TPS for these three countries while the lawsuit continues.
Because of this ruling, the Department of Homeland Security is permitted to proceed with the termination of TPS designations for Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua.
What This Means for TPS Holders
If you currently hold TPS from one of these countries, this decision may directly impact your immigration status. TPS protections could end unless there is another court order or government action that changes this outcome.
It is important to understand that losing TPS does not automatically mean you have no options. Depending on your individual situation, you may qualify for another form of immigration relief, such as family-based petitions, asylum, or other legal remedies.
What You Should Do Now
If you are affected by this change:
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Do not wait to seek legal advice.
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Speak with a qualified immigration attorney as soon as possible.
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Review your immigration history and any pending applications.
Taking action now can help you prepare and protect your future.