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On June 25, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court issued two 6-3 rulings that hit immigrant communities hard — including right here in Southern California. The Court gave the Trump administration the green light to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for roughly 350,000 Haitians and 6,000 Syrians. At the same time, the Court ruled that asylum seekers can be turned away at the U.S.-Mexico border before they ever step onto American soil. If you or someone you love holds TPS from Haiti or Syria — or is waiting to seek asylum at the border — this is urgent. You need to act now. At Tez Law P.C. in West Covina, our immigration services team is ready to help you understand your options and protect your future. Don’t wait — time is not on your side.
Background: What the Supreme Court Decided on June 25, 2026
In Mullin v. Doe, the Court ruled 6-3 in favor of the Trump administration, overturning lower court orders that had blocked TPS terminations for Haiti and Syria. Justice Samuel Alito, writing for the majority, held that the TPS statute strips courts of the ability to review the government’s decision to end TPS designations — essentially putting that power beyond legal challenge on non-constitutional grounds. The Court also rejected the claim that terminating Haiti’s TPS was rooted in racial animus under the equal protection clause.
What does that mean in plain terms? TPS — a program Congress created in 1990 — lets people from countries devastated by war, earthquakes, or other catastrophic conditions live and work legally in the United States. Haiti earned that designation in 2010 after a catastrophic earthquake. Syria received it in 2012 because of its ongoing civil war. Both had been extended repeatedly — until now. The Trump administration moved to end them, and the Supreme Court just cleared the path to do it.
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On the same day, in a second 6-3 ruling in Mullin v. Al Otro Lado, the Court upheld the government’s authority to turn back asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border without processing their claims — a practice known as “metering” — ruling that an asylum seeker must physically be present inside the United States to be entitled to apply for asylum. Together, these two decisions represent the most sweeping immigration restrictions handed down by the Supreme Court in a generation.
Importantly, the Supreme Court’s TPS ruling does not instantly terminate protections. The case was remanded to the district courts to issue an implementing order — a process that typically takes approximately 32 days. Additionally, USCIS announced on July 1, 2026 that TPS-based Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for Haiti and Syria will expire on July 10, 2026, making the timeline for action extremely short.
How These Rulings Affect Haitian, Syrian, and Broader Immigrant Communities
The human stakes could not be higher. Across the United States — including large Haitian and Middle Eastern communities throughout Los Angeles County, the San Gabriel Valley, and the West Covina area — hundreds of thousands of people who have lived and worked legally in this country for years, and in some cases over a decade, now face the loss of their work authorization and potential deportation.
The consequences cascade far beyond just Haiti and Syria. The Supreme Court’s decision gives the Department of Homeland Security broad, largely unreviewable authority to end TPS for any country. The Trump administration has already moved to terminate TPS designations for most of the roughly dozen countries that currently hold them, including Venezuela, El Salvador, Burma (Myanmar), Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Ukraine, and Yemen. An estimated 1.3 million people from over a dozen countries rely on TPS to live and work legally in the United States, and this ruling places the majority of them at risk.
For those already in the U.S. under TPS, the ruling creates overlapping legal pressures: expiration of employment authorization, loss of lawful presence, and heightened risk of ICE enforcement. For families, it means the potential separation of parents from their U.S.-born children. For employers in industries where TPS holders are heavily concentrated — including healthcare, construction, and hospitality — the loss of a legal workforce could be devastating.
On the asylum front, the companion ruling in Mullin v. Al Otro Lado eliminates what was long considered a safe, lawful route to protection. Those who present themselves at a port of entry along the southern border can now be turned away without any opportunity to file an asylum claim. If you have family members waiting at the border, their path to safety has become significantly narrower and more legally precarious. However, if you are already inside the United States, you may still be eligible to apply for asylum, subject to applicable deadlines and requirements.
What You Should Do Right Now
If you currently hold TPS from Haiti, Syria, or any other country, or if you have a family member seeking asylum at the border, the time to act is now. Here are the most important steps to take immediately:
- Consult an immigration attorney immediately. The legal landscape has changed dramatically. An experienced immigration lawyer can assess your specific facts, explain your remaining options, and help you make safe, informed decisions before your status expires.
- Explore alternative legal pathways. Losing TPS does not automatically mean you must leave the country. Depending on your individual circumstances, you may be eligible to apply for asylum (if you are already in the U.S.), adjustment of status through a family member or employer, a U or T visa if you are a crime victim, or other forms of humanitarian relief. Some TPS holders with pending or approved visa petitions may be able to pursue a green card before their TPS expires.
- Do NOT assume you have a grace period. Once TPS is formally terminated, Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) expire automatically. Working without valid authorization after that date can create additional grounds for deportability under federal immigration law.
- Do NOT travel to the border without legal guidance. Given the Supreme Court’s asylum ruling, presenting at a port of entry no longer guarantees the right to apply for asylum. Traveling to the border without understanding current risks could place you or your family in immediate danger.
- Watch for official USCIS updates. The situation is in active litigation. Monitor the USCIS TPS page for your country regularly for changes in EAD expiration dates, re-registration windows, and implementing orders from the district courts.
- Gather your documents. Compile all immigration-related paperwork, including your TPS approval notices, Employment Authorization Documents, and any visa petitions filed on your behalf. Having these ready will allow your attorney to identify your best options quickly.
Why Choose Tez Law P.C. for Your Immigration Case
At Tez Law P.C., led by Managing Attorney JJ Zhang (California Bar #326666), we understand that immigration law is not just a legal matter — it is your life, your family, and your future. We handle immigration cases across the entire United States, and we stay current on every development affecting our clients, from the Supreme Court to USCIS policy changes and ICE enforcement priorities.
Our firm provides strategic, compassionate representation for TPS holders, asylum seekers, adjustment of status applicants, and families navigating the most complex areas of immigration law. We know that every case is different — your pathway forward depends on your individual facts and circumstances — and we take the time to understand your unique situation before recommending a course of action.
Whether you are a Haitian or Syrian TPS holder scrambling to find an alternative legal status, a family separated at the border, or an immigrant from any country facing uncertainty in 2026, Tez Law P.C. is ready to fight for you. We also handle personal injury matters and a full range of other legal services, so we can be your trusted legal partner across multiple areas of your life.
Contact us today for a free consultation and let us help you understand your options before it is too late.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Supreme Court’s June 25, 2026 ruling immediately end my TPS status?
No — not instantly. The Supreme Court remanded the case back to the district courts to issue an implementing order, a process that typically takes approximately 32 days. However, USCIS announced on July 1, 2026 that TPS-based Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for Haiti and Syria will expire on July 10, 2026. This means your window to secure alternative legal status or consult an attorney is extremely short. Do not assume you are safe simply because the ruling is not yet fully implemented — act immediately.
I am a TPS holder — can I still apply for a green card or asylum?
Possibly, yes — but it depends entirely on your individual facts and circumstances. If you are already inside the United States, you may still be eligible to apply for asylum if you meet the requirements and have not exceeded the one-year filing deadline (note: holding TPS status generally pauses this clock while it is in effect). TPS holders with a pending or approved visa petition from a qualifying family member or employer may also be able to pursue adjustment of status to lawful permanent residence before TPS expires. However, those who entered the U.S. without inspection may face additional legal barriers. There is no one-size-fits-all answer — speak with an experienced immigration attorney at Tez Law P.C. as soon as possible to evaluate your specific options.
My family member is waiting at the U.S.-Mexico border to seek asylum — what does the ruling mean for them?
The Supreme Court’s companion ruling in Mullin v. Al Otro Lado held that a person must be physically present inside the United States to be entitled to apply for asylum. This means the government can now legally block individuals from setting foot on U.S. soil at a port of entry — and therefore prevent them from accessing the asylum system entirely. If your family member has not yet crossed the border, this ruling creates serious and immediate risks. They should not travel to the border without proper legal guidance. Please contact Tez Law P.C. for a free consultation so we can assess all available options, which may include refugee resettlement, humanitarian parole, or other forms of relief.
Act Now — Your Future Cannot Wait
The Supreme Court’s twin 6-3 rulings on June 25, 2026 have fundamentally reshaped the immigration landscape for hundreds of thousands of people in the United States. If you hold TPS from Haiti, Syria, or any other country facing termination — or if you have a family member seeking safety at the border — every day you delay is a day of critical legal options lost. The team at Tez Law P.C. in West Covina is here for you. Our immigration services are available nationwide, and we offer a free consultation to help you assess your situation and chart the best path forward. Call us today — because your safety, your family, and your future depend on it.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Contact Tez Law P.C. at 626-678-8677 or [email protected] for advice specific to your situation. Results may vary.