Here is a clear, practical TPS Haiti expiration checklist designed to help individuals and families prepare before February 3, 2026.
1. Immigration & Legal Preparation (Top Priority)
☐ Confirm your TPS expiration date and EAD validity
☐ Consult a licensed immigration attorney (not a notario)
☐ Screen eligibility for:
✅Family-based petitions (marriage, adult U.S.-citizen children)
✅Employment-based sponsorship
✅Asylum / Withholding / CAT
✅U Visa / T Visa / VAWA (if applicable)
✅SIJS (for eligible youth)
☐ File any eligible petitions immediately (do not wait for expiration)
☐ Obtain a copy of your full immigration file (FOIA, if needed)
☐ Keep copies of:
✅TPS approval notices
✅EAD cards
✅Passport
✅I-94s
✅Receipts & court notices
☐ Renew Haitian passport (if expiring soon)
2. Work & Income Protection
☐ Confirm EAD expiration date
☐ Save at least 3–6 months of living expenses
☐ Reduce non-essential spending
☐ Save pay stubs, W-2s, tax returns
☐ Discuss contingency plans with employer (if appropriate)
☐ Avoid unauthorized work after TPS ends
☐ Learn local workers’ rights (wages owed even if status expires)
3. Travel & Identification
☐ Avoid international travel unless absolutely necessary
☐ Do NOT travel after TPS expires without legal advice
☐ Secure valid:
✅State ID / Driver’s license
✅Passport
☐ Keep IDs in an accessible, safe place
4. Housing & Property (Renters and Homeowners)
If Renting
☐ Review lease terms
☐ Save for rent reserve (2–3 months minimum)
☐ Identify backup housing options (family/friends)
If Homeowner
☐ Build a mortgage emergency fund
☐ Contact lender about hardship programs
☐ Keep taxes and insurance current
☐ Assign Power of Attorney to a trusted person
☐ Store property documents securely
5. Family & Children Planning
☐ Create a family emergency plan
☐ Designate temporary child guardianship (notarized)
☐ Keep children’s documents together:
✅Birth certificates
✅Passports
✅School records
☐ Explain plan to trusted family members
☐ Understand: U.S.-citizen children do not automatically protect parents
6. Health & Benefits
☐ Refill essential prescriptions
☐ Obtain copies of medical records
☐ Confirm health insurance end dates
☐ Identify low-cost clinics in your area
7. Financial & Credit Protection
☐ Open or maintain bank account in your name
☐ Avoid taking on new debt
☐ Pay down high-interest credit cards
☐ Monitor credit reports
☐ Set aside cash for emergencies
8. Safety & Enforcement Awareness
☐ Know your rights if approached by ICE
✅You have the right to remain silent
✅You do not have to open the door without a warrant signed by a judge
☐ Do not carry false documents
☐ Avoid legal trouble of any kind
9. Communication & Information
☐ Follow official USCIS and DHS updates
☐ Avoid rumors and social media misinformation
☐ Join reputable immigrant advocacy groups
☐ Keep attorney contact information saved
10. Mental & Emotional Readiness
☐ Talk with family about possible outcomes
☐ Seek community or faith-based support
☐ Prepare emotionally for uncertainty
☐ Remember: preparation reduces fear
FINAL REMINDER
Waiting until January 2026 is too late. The strongest TPS holders in 2026 will be those who prepared early in 2025.