DHS Warns on TPS Termination: "Leave Now or Be Deported" — What You Need to Know

On August 14, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published an official notice — through its own channels and the site DHS.GOV/CBPHOME — warning that the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is now in effect for several countries, and that people whose TPS has been terminated must "leave now or be deported." This is a real, serious warning. But, as Attorney Jesus Reyes explained on social media, it is not the whole story: TPS termination does not automatically erase other immigration protections you may hold. This article explains what the notice says, which countries are affected, and what you should evaluate before making a decision as significant as leaving the country.

What Exactly Does the DHS Notice Say?

The message, published by DHS and addressed to TPS beneficiaries, reads: "Termination of TEMPORARY Protected Status is now in effect for the following countries. For those with terminated TPS: LEAVE NOW or be DEPORTED."

The notice points to DHS.GOV/CBPHOME, the official DHS platform for reporting voluntary departure — the same platform that promotes the CBP Home app, which we explain further below.

Which Countries Currently Have TPS Terminated?

As of this article's publication, TPS has been terminated — effectively, not just announced — for the following countries:

• Haiti — termination effective July 27, 2026.
• Syria — termination effective July 27, 2026.
• Yemen — termination effective July 20, 2026.
• Afghanistan — termination effective July 21, 2025.
• Cameroon — termination effective August 4, 2025.
• Honduras — terminated.
• Nicaragua — terminated.
• Nepal — terminated.
• Venezuela — terminated as of November 7, 2025 (some work permits remain valid through October 2, 2026, depending on the specific designation).
• Myanmar (Burma) — termination effective August 7, 2026.
• South Sudan — terminated.

If you hold TPS from any of these countries, the DHS notice applies directly to you.

Which Countries Still Have Active TPS?

Not every TPS designation has ended. These countries currently keep TPS in effect:

• El Salvador — active through September 9, 2026.
• Sudan — active through October 19, 2026.
• Ukraine — active designation.
• Lebanon — active designation.

Ethiopia and Somalia are in a different situation: the government attempted to terminate their TPS, but that termination is currently paused by court order while litigation continues. For now, beneficiaries from those countries should not treat their TPS as if it had been terminated for good.

Note

If your country is not on the "terminated" list above, do not automatically assume your TPS remains active — the rules change frequently. Confirm your specific designation's status with an immigration attorney or directly through the official USCIS website.

Why Did So Many TPS Terminations Take Effect at Once?

This wave of terminations has a specific legal origin. On June 25, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Mullin v. Doe, ruled that the DHS Secretary's decisions to terminate TPS for Haiti and Syria are not subject to judicial review. That ruling cleared the way for other terminations that had been held up in court — Yemen, Honduras, Nicaragua, Nepal, Venezuela, Myanmar, and South Sudan — to also take full effect.

What Is the CBP Home App?

CBP Home is the official DHS and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) app for reporting voluntary departure from the United States, available since March 2025. Through it, the government offers:

• A free flight back to your home country.
• A monetary stipend, whose amount has changed over time — figures reported have ranged between $1,000 and $3,000 depending on the period.
• Forgiveness of "failure to depart" fines for those who register and leave through the app.
• Lower priority for arrest or detention while the person arranges their departure.

DHS also states that reporting voluntary departure through CBP Home "may help preserve the option" to re-enter the United States legally in the future. It is important to understand that this is DHS's own promotional claim — there is currently no independently confirmed legal guarantee that leaving this way secures future re-entry.

Important

Before using CBP Home or deciding to leave the country, it is essential that an attorney review your full immigration history. There is also a relevant legal nuance: in Sanchez v. Mayorkas, the Supreme Court held that holding TPS does not count as an "admission" to the United States for adjustment-of-status purposes if the person entered without inspection. This does not change what you may already have in your favor, but it confirms that every case needs careful review before making irreversible decisions.

Does TPS Termination Automatically Eliminate Other Immigration Protections?

No. This is the central clarification Attorney Jesus Reyes made in his post, and it is legally accurate: a TPS application is independent of any other immigration process. The fact that your TPS has ended does not, by itself, cancel:

• A pending asylum application, or your eligibility to file one.
• A grant of deferred action.
• An adjustment or change of status process already underway.
• A family petition (I-130) filed by a citizen or resident spouse, child, or parent.
• A U or T visa application, if you were a victim of a crime or human trafficking.
• DACA, if you are a beneficiary.

Each of these processes continues on its own track, regardless of what happens with TPS. However — and this is just as important — not everyone has another option available. If you do not have an independent immigration process pending and are not eligible for one, the expiration of TPS can leave you without legal protection against deportation.

What Should You Do If Your TPS Was Terminated?

1. Do not ignore the notice, but do not act on it alone. It is a serious warning that deserves immediate attention.
2. Gather your complete immigration history: applications filed, family petitions, asylum processes, work permits, and any other proceeding you started before or after receiving TPS.
3. Consult an immigration attorney before deciding to leave the country or use CBP Home. Once you leave, reversing that decision can be extremely difficult or impossible.
4. Check whether you qualify for another immigration pathway — asylum, adjustment of status, a family petition, or a victim-based visa — before assuming you have no alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the DHS "Leave Now or Be Deported" Notice Real?

Yes. It is an official notice published by the Department of Homeland Security, linked to the DHS.GOV/CBPHOME page, addressed to TPS beneficiaries whose designation has already been terminated.

If My TPS Ended, Do I Have to Leave the United States Immediately?

Not necessarily. It depends on your full immigration situation. If you have another immigration process pending or are eligible for one — asylum, adjustment of status, a family petition, among others — you may have an independent legal basis to remain in the country. Every case must be evaluated individually with an attorney before making that decision.

Is the CBP Home App Mandatory?

No. CBP Home is a tool for reporting voluntary departure in exchange for benefits such as a free flight, a monetary stipend, and forgiveness of certain fines. It is not a legal requirement, and using it is a decision that should be made only after evaluating all available alternatives with an attorney.

What If My Country Is Not on the List of Terminated TPS Designations?

Some countries, such as El Salvador, Sudan, Ukraine, and Lebanon, still have active TPS. Others, such as Ethiopia and Somalia, have their termination paused by the courts. Even so, it is important to confirm the exact status of your specific designation, since the rules change frequently.

Does Leaving the Country Through CBP Home Guarantee I Can Legally Return Later?

There is no confirmed legal guarantee of future re-entry. DHS states that voluntary departure "may help" preserve that option, but that is a claim made by the government itself, not an independent guarantee. Consult an immigration attorney before making this decision.

Conclusion

The DHS notice is real, and TPS termination for countries such as Haiti, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Cameroon is already in effect. This is information that should not be ignored. But, as Attorney Jesus Reyes cautioned, it is not the whole story either: TPS termination does not automatically eliminate other protections or immigration pathways you may hold. The only way to know your options with certainty is to review your specific case with a TPS attorney and, if applicable, a political asylum attorney. We invite you to schedule a consultation to evaluate the legal alternatives available for your situation before making a decision as significant as leaving the country.

Do you have a TPS or asylum case, or are you concerned about how this termination affects you or your family? Schedule a consultation to review your specific case and learn about all the immigration options available for your situation.