USCIS Reports Significant TPS Backlog in First Quarter of FY2026
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has published its Fiscal Year 2026 first-quarter data for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) applications, covering the period from October through December 2025. The report provides a detailed snapshot of receipt volumes, approvals, denials, and pending caseloads across all designated countries.
As of the end of Q1 FY2026, USCIS reported 582,813 TPS applications pending adjudication. During the same quarter, the agency received 1,417 new filings. The substantial difference between incoming cases and the existing queue underscores the scale of the current backlog and its potential impact on processing times.
Haiti and Ukraine Account for the Majority of Pending Cases
Country-specific data show that Haiti and Ukraine represent the largest shares of the pending caseload. Haitian nationals account for 332,118 pending applications, while Ukrainian nationals account for 136,640. Combined, these two designations represent more than 80 percent of all TPS cases awaiting adjudication.
Both countries remain under TPS designation due to ongoing country conditions. The volume of filings associated with these populations has significantly shaped overall agency workload. The concentration of cases within a limited number of country designations may affect adjudication timelines, particularly where re-registration periods and employment authorization requests coincide.
Approval and Denial Trends Reflect High Grant Rates
During Q1 FY2026, USCIS approved 10,148 TPS applications and denied 742. The overall approval rate for adjudicated cases during the quarter was approximately 93 percent.
El Salvador recorded the highest number of approvals during the reporting period, with 5,639 cases granted. Ukraine followed with 4,357 approvals. The reported approval rate indicates that most properly filed and eligible applications are being granted, although final outcomes remain case-specific and dependent on statutory and regulatory eligibility requirements.
While the quarterly adjudication totals reflect forward movement in case processing, the number of approvals remains significantly lower than the total pending inventory.
Operational and Employment Authorization Considerations
TPS applicants commonly file Form I-821 together with Form I-765 to request employment authorization. A large and sustained pending caseload may have implications for Employment Authorization Document (EAD) issuance timelines, particularly for first-time applicants who do not benefit from automatic EAD extensions tied to Federal Register notices.
For employers and human resources professionals, extended TPS adjudication periods can affect workforce planning and Form I-9 compliance processes. In cases where automatic EAD extensions apply, employers must ensure documentation is reviewed in accordance with DHS guidance. Where applications remain pending without automatic extensions, employment eligibility may depend on timely EAD approval.
Immigration practitioners should also note that high pending volumes in specific country designations may indicate longer adjudication timeframes, particularly during re-registration cycles or redesignation periods.
Broader Implications for Applicants and Stakeholders
The Q1 FY2026 data reflect an immigration benefit category experiencing sustained demand, particularly among nationals of Haiti and Ukraine. Although new filings during the quarter were relatively limited, the cumulative inventory from prior filing periods continues to drive overall backlog levels.
For applicants, extended processing timelines may affect travel planning, employment continuity, and coordination with other forms of immigration relief. For employers and compliance professionals, understanding TPS approval trends and pending case volumes is essential for anticipating workforce documentation needs.
USCIS continues to publish quarterly statistics on Form I-821 filings and adjudications. Stakeholders should monitor official agency releases for updates that may affect designated countries, re-registration deadlines, and processing operations throughout FY2026.
