District Court Allows TPS Work Authorization Limits Under H.R.1 to Proceed
On August 6, 2026, a U.S. district court denied a stay on TPS work authorization caps under H.R.1.
Why it matters: This ruling affects tens of thousands of TPS holders’ ability to work legally in the U.S. It sets a precedent on enforcing employment limits linked to TPS terminations, with key compliance implications for legal professionals advising impacted clients or employers.
- On August 6, 2026, U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes lifted the injunction blocking TPS termination for about 350,000 Haitian nationals in a case following Mullin v. Doe.
- The Supreme Court ruled on June 25, 2026, in Mullin v. Doe, upholding the government’s authority to end TPS for Haitians, enabling lower courts to enforce termination.
- H.R.1, effective July 22, 2025, limited Employment Authorization Document (EAD) extensions for TPS beneficiaries, requiring a pending or approved Form I-821 for eligibility.
- The ruling enforces tighter employment authorization caps, significantly impacting Haitian TPS holders and broader TPS-based work permissions nationwide.
On August 6, 2026, U.S. District Court Judge Ana C. Reyes declined to stay the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for roughly 350,000 Haitian nationals. Her order lifted an injunction that had prevented enforcement of employment authorization limits under the Legal Immigration Reform and Enforcement Act (H.R.1), impacting work privileges for TPS holders.
This decision follows the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Mullin v. Doe on June 25, 2026, which affirmed the federal government's authority to terminate TPS protections for Haitian nationals. The Supreme Court reversed lower court stays that had blocked TPS termination, enabling enforcement of restrictions on related employment authorization.
H.R.1, which took effect on July 22, 2025, eliminated automatic extensions of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for TPS beneficiaries. Now, TPS holders must maintain a pending or approved initial application for TPS via Form I-821 to qualify for work authorization. The ruling confirms the reduction of these automatic work permit extensions, significantly affecting Haitian TPS holders and other beneficiaries nationwide.
Legal experts emphasize the ruling's broad implications. Jessica Bansal, legal advisor at the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, stated this outcome "clarifies that lower courts cannot block TPS terminations authorized by the Supreme Court." Meanwhile, Guerline Jozef, President of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, called the decision "the largest revocation of legal status in recent U.S. history," highlighting its profound impact on affected communities.
With the injunction lifted, Haitian nationals face limited pathways to remain legally employed, increasing compliance risks for firms employing TPS workers. The decision also signals strengthened federal enforcement of employment authorization limits tied to TPS, underscoring critical regulatory shifts for immigration law practitioners and employers.
By the numbers:
- 350,000 — Haitian nationals affected by TPS termination under H.R.1
- June 25, 2026 — Date of Supreme Court ruling in Mullin v. Doe
- July 22, 2025 — Effective date of H.R.1 limiting TPS-based EAD extensions
Yes, but: While the ruling supports enforcement of employment authorization caps, some TPS holders may still pursue pending Form I-821 approvals to maintain work eligibility, creating potential legal complexity.
What's next: Observers expect increased litigation and administrative challenges as affected TPS holders seek to preserve or regain work authorization amid tighter federal restrictions.