Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

Temporary Protected Status allows nationals from designated countries experiencing armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions to live and work in the U.S. temporarily. As of June 2025, there are 1,014,324 pending TPS applications from 17 countries — with Venezuela, Haiti, and Ukraine making up the vast majority.

1.0M

Pending

327K

Approved (FY2025)

93.9%

Approval Rate

Designated Countries

💡

Key Insights

• Venezuela dominates with 403K pending — reflecting the mass exodus from economic collapse and political crisis

• Haiti has 331K pending — designated after the 2010 earthquake and repeatedly redesignated through political instability

• Ukraine surged to 143K — designated after Russia's 2022 invasion, one of the fastest-growing TPS populations

• 93.9% approval rate — most denials are procedural (late filing, ineligibility), not merit-based

TPS Applications Pending by Country

FY2025 Application Outcomes

TPS Applications by Country (FY2025 through Q3)

Country	Received	Approved	Denied	Pending
Venezuela	381,883	125,129	10,682	403,320
Haiti	109,840	124,517	4,502	331,355
Ukraine	140,346	44,657	875	143,364
El Salvador	120,804	9,510	1,442	117,192
Afghanistan	575	0	0	9,206
Honduras	3,969	11,177	1,983	2,999
Somalia	1,001	450	19	1,588
Syria	419	762	67	1,006
Lebanon	1,322	339	0	970
Sudan	1,219	514	180	856
Cameroon	697	2,643	259	698
Nicaragua	749	54	0	657
Yemen	459	1,240	50	411
Ethiopia	1,215	1,172	192	316
Burma	618	919	185	188
Nepal	211	3,571	200	130
South Sudan	66	44	0	68
Total	765,393	326,760	21,058	1,014,324

What Is TPS?

TPS is a temporary immigration status granted to nationals of countries experiencing ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary conditions that prevent safe return. It provides work authorization and protection from deportation — but does not lead to a green card or permanent residency.

The Secretary of Homeland Security designates countries for TPS. Designations last 6-18 months and can be extended. Some countries (like El Salvador and Honduras) have been designated for over 20 years, leading critics to argue that "temporary" has become permanent in practice.

TPS vs. Asylum

TPS and asylum are often confused but are fundamentally different:

TPS is country-wide — everyone from the designated country qualifies. No individual persecution required.
Asylum requires individual proof of persecution or well-founded fear based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or social group.
TPS is explicitly temporary. Asylum leads to permanent residency after one year.
TPS holders entered the U.S. before the designation date. Asylum seekers can apply at any time.

Political Controversy

TPS has become a major political flashpoint. The Trump administration attempted to terminate TPS for several countries (El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Nepal, Sudan) arguing conditions had improved. Courts blocked many of these terminations. The Biden administration redesignated and extended TPS for most countries and added new ones (Ukraine, Venezuela, Afghanistan, Cameroon).

The current Trump administration has again moved to end TPS for several countries, creating uncertainty for over a million people who have built lives, businesses, and families in the U.S. over years or decades.