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On June 25, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a decision that directly affects hundreds of thousands of immigrants across the country, including an estimated 147,000 in Texas alone. In a 6-3 ruling in Mullin v. Doe, the Court cleared the way for the Department of Homeland Security to terminate Temporary Protected Status for Haitian and Syrian nationals.
If you hold TPS from Haiti or Syria and you live in Houston or anywhere in Texas, here is what you need to understand right now.
What the Supreme Court Actually Decided
The ruling in Mullin v. Doe did not just allow the TPS terminations to move forward. It went further: the Court held that the TPS statute bars courts from reviewing non-constitutional challenges to the DHS Secretary's decision to end a country's TPS designation.
In plain terms, federal courts can no longer step in to pause these terminations based on arguments that DHS failed to follow proper procedures. That was the main legal argument that had kept protections in place for the past several months.
The decision lifts lower-court injunctions that had temporarily blocked the terminations for both Haiti and Syria. With those blocks removed, work authorizations for TPS holders from both countries are expected to terminate on or around July 1, 2026.
Who Is Affected
The numbers are significant. Roughly 350,000 Haitian nationals and more than 6,000 Syrian nationals currently hold TPS in the United States. Texas has one of the largest TPS-holding populations in the country, with an estimated 147,000 immigrants now at risk of losing their status.
Haiti was originally designated for TPS in 2010 following the catastrophic earthquake that devastated the country. Syria received its designation in 2012 in response to the ongoing civil war. For many of these individuals, TPS has been the legal foundation of their lives in the U.S. for over a decade.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced the termination of Syria's TPS designation in September 2025 and Haiti's in November 2025. Lower courts had issued injunctions pausing both terminations. Last week's Supreme Court ruling removes those injunctions permanently.
While the ruling directly names Haiti and Syria, its implications reach much further. The Court's decision to strip judicial review from non-constitutional TPS challenges sets a legal precedent that could be used to terminate TPS for nationals of any currently designated country. There are currently more than a dozen TPS-designated countries, with a total of over 1.1 million beneficiaries across the United States. If that precedent is applied broadly, the number of people at risk could grow dramatically.
What Happens Without TPS
TPS provides two critical protections: a stay of removal and work authorization. When TPS ends, both go away.
That means TPS holders from Haiti and Syria could face removal proceedings without a separate legal basis to remain in the country. It also means their Employment Authorization Documents will expire, making it unlawful for them to continue working.
For people who have built lives here, raised families, started businesses, bought homes, and contributed to communities like Houston's Third Ward, Alief, and Sharpstown for years or even decades, this is not an abstract legal development. It is urgent.
Legal Options That Still Exist
Losing TPS does not necessarily mean losing the ability to stay in the United States legally. There are several pathways worth exploring with an experienced Houston immigration attorney. The right option depends entirely on individual circumstances, so acting quickly is critical.
Asylum. If you face a genuine fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group, you may be eligible for asylum. Asylees who are granted protection can apply for a green card after one year.
Family-based green card. If you have an immediate relative who is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, you may qualify for a family-sponsored immigrant visa. Many long-term TPS holders have family ties in the U.S. that could open this door.
Employment-based green card. If you have a U.S. employer willing to sponsor you, an employment-based green card may be an option. TPS status can count as a lawful nonimmigrant status for adjustment of status purposes, though travel requirements may apply depending on your individual case.
VAWA protection. TPS holders who are victims of domestic abuse by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse or parent may be eligible to self-petition under the Violence Against Women Act, regardless of gender.
- Special immigrant categories. Certain individuals, including those with qualifying military service or juvenile status findings, may be eligible for special immigrant visas.
None of these paths are simple to navigate on your own. Immigration law is detailed, deadlines matter, and a mistake on a filing can have serious consequences for you and your family.
The Window to Act Is Narrow
With work authorizations expected to lapse around July 1, 2026, time is short. The best thing you can do right now is get a clear picture of your legal options before your current status expires.
The Modi Law Firm can review your case, identify which pathways apply to your situation, and help you take the right steps in the right order. Waiting to see what happens is not a strategy. It is a risk you cannot afford to take.
Attorney Modi on Nationwide Fox LiveNow News Discussing SCOTUS TPS Decision
On the day the ruling came down, Harvard-trained Houston immigration attorney Susham Modi appeared on Fox LiveNow to explain what the decision means and what TPS holders from Haiti and Syria should do next. Attorney Modi has been on the front lines of this issue and understands exactly what is at stake for affected families in Houston and across Texas.
Talk to an Immigration Attorney at The Modi Law Firm Today
If you are a TPS holder from Haiti or Syria, or you have a family member who is, do not wait. Contact The Modi Law Firm for a confidential consultation with Attorney Susham Modi. We will review your situation, walk you through your options in plain language, and help you determine the best path forward for you and your family.
Your future in Houston and in this country is worth protecting. Let The Modi Law Firm help you protect it.
Sources: Supreme Court Opinion, Mullin v. Doe | Houston Public Media | ABC News | Littler | National Law Review