What we verified in “TPS, parole and work permits: which mortgages are open”

Statements and where we checked them

The statements with rules, figures or dates, with the exact place in the source and the date we checked them.

1. Under the TPS law (8 U.S.C. §1254a), a person with Temporary Protected Status may not be removed while the status is in effect; the government must authorize them to work and give them a work permit; and that work authorization is effective throughout the period the person has TPS.

   Sources 1 · 8 U.S.C. §1254a(a)(1)–(2): 'shall not remove the alien from the United States during the period in which such status is in effect'; 'shall authorize the alien to engage in employment in the United States'; 'Work authorization provided under this section shall be effective throughout the period the alien is in temporary protected status under this section' · Checked October 17, 2026

2. Under 8 U.S.C. §1254a(b), a country's initial TPS designation lasts 6 to 18 months; at least 60 days before each period ends, the government reviews conditions and publishes its decision in the Federal Register; if it does not terminate the designation, it is extended for 6 months (or 12 or 18, at its discretion); and a termination cannot take effect earlier than 60 days after it is published, or before the end of the most recent extension, whichever is later.

   Sources 1 · 8 U.S.C. §1254a(b)(2)–(3): 'of not less than 6 months and not more than 18 months'; 'At least 60 days before end of the initial period of designation'; 'in the Federal Register'; 'shall not be effective earlier than 60 days after the date the notice is published or, if later, the expiration of the most recent previous extension'; 'is extended for an additional period of 6 months' · Checked October 17, 2026

3. Under 8 U.S.C. §1182(d)(5)(A), parole lets a person enter the United States temporarily, case by case, for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit; parole is not an admission; and when its purpose has been served, the person must return to the custody they were paroled from.

   Sources 2 · 8 U.S.C. §1182(d)(5)(A): 'parole into the United States temporarily under such conditions as he may prescribe only on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit'; 'such parole of such alien shall not be regarded as an admission of the alien'; 'shall forthwith return or be returned to the custody from which he was paroled' · Checked October 17, 2026

4. Under 8 CFR §274a.12, people with TPS are authorized to work for the period of their status, with an employment authorization document (EAD) as evidence; people paroled under section 212(d)(5) and people with a pending asylum application, under certain conditions, are among the classes that must apply for the permit; and USCIS may set each permit's validity period at its discretion.

   Sources 3 · 8 CFR §274a.12(a)(12) and (c): 'An alien granted Temporary Protected Status under section 244 of the Act for the period of time described in 8 CFR 244.12, as evidenced by an employment authorization document issued by the Service'; 'Aliens who must apply for employment authorization'; 'USCIS, in its discretion, may establish a specific validity period for an employment authorization document'; 'an alien paroled into the United States temporarily for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit pursuant to section 212(d)(5) of the Act'; 'An alien who has filed a complete application for asylum or withholding of deportation or removal' · Checked October 17, 2026

5. Under the Social Security regulation (20 CFR §422.104), SSA can assign a Social Security number to a noncitizen admitted for permanent residence or under other authority of law permitting them to work in the United States, if they meet the evidence requirements.

   Sources 4 · 20 CFR §422.104(a)(1)–(2): 'We can assign you a social security number if you meet the evidence requirements'; 'An alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence or under other authority of law permitting you to work in the United States' · Checked October 17, 2026

6. HUD Mortgagee Letter 2025-09 removes the non-permanent resident sections in their entirety, eliminating their eligibility for FHA loans; it must be implemented for case numbers assigned on or after May 25, 2025; lawful permanent residents remain eligible on the same terms as citizens, as do citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau; and a Social Security card is not sufficient to prove immigration or work status.

   Sources 5 · Mortgagee Letter 2025-09 (March 26, 2025): 'removes the Non-permanent Residents sections in its entirety'; 'eliminating eligibility for non-permanent resident Borrowers'; 'must be implemented for FHA case numbers assigned on or after May 25, 2025'; 'A Borrower with lawful permanent resident status may be eligible for FHA-insured financing provided the Borrower satisfies the same requirements, terms, and conditions as those for U.S. citizens'; 'the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau'; 'A Social Security card is not sufficient to prove immigration' · Checked October 17, 2026

7. FHA Handbook 4000.1, in its version last revised August 12, 2026, lists the categories eligible for FHA purchase loans in its residency requirements: permanent residents and citizens of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau.

   Sources 6 · Handbook 4000.1 (Last Revised: 8/12/2026), II.A.1.b.ii(A)(9) Residency Requirements: 'The following categories of individuals are eligible for FHA-insured financing in accordance with the requirements set forth below'; 'Permanent Residents'; 'Citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau' · Checked October 17, 2026

8. Before the 2025 change, HUD Mortgagee Letter 2021-12 allowed FHA loans to non-permanent residents with a valid Social Security number and a current work permit (Form I-766); and if the permit expired within one year and there was a history of renewals, the lender could assume it would be renewed. That section was removed by Mortgagee Letter 2025-09.

   Sources 7 · Mortgagee Letter 2021-12 (May 28, 2021): 'A Borrower who is a non-permanent resident may be eligible for FHA- insured financing provided'; 'an Employment Authorization Document (USCIS Form I-766) showing that work authorization status is current'; 'the Borrower has a valid SSN'; 'will expire within one year and a prior history of residency status renewals exists'; 'the Mortgagee may assume that continuation will be granted' · Checked October 17, 2026 · Rescinded

9. Fannie Mae buys mortgages made to non-U.S. citizens who are lawful permanent or non-permanent residents on the same terms available to citizens; it does not specify the exact documentation: the lender determines status based on the circumstances of each case, using documentation it deems appropriate, and by delivering the loan the lender warrants to Fannie Mae that the borrower is legally present in the country.

   Sources 8 · Selling Guide B2-2-02, Non-U.S. Citizen Borrower Eligibility Requirements: 'lawful permanent or non-permanent residents of the United States under the same terms that are available to U.S. citizens'; 'does not specify the precise documentation the lender must obtain'; 'based on the circumstances of the individual case, using documentation it deems appropriate'; 'the lender represents and warrants that the non-U.S. citizen borrower is legally present in this country' · Checked October 17, 2026

10. Fannie Mae's Selling Guide requires each borrower to have a valid Social Security number or ITIN, in addition to meeting legal residency and documentation requirements; and the lender must confirm each borrower's identity before extending credit, in line with its federal verification obligations.

    Sources 9 · Selling Guide B2-2-01, General Borrower Eligibility Requirements (09/03/2025): 'requires that each borrower have a valid Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), in addition to meeting existing legal residency and documentation requirements'; 'Lenders must confirm each borrower's identity prior to the extension of credit'; 'lenders' existing federal obligations under laws requiring information and document verification' · Checked October 17, 2026

11. According to Fannie Mae, the lender must document that income is stable, has a documented history of receipt and is reasonably expected to continue; and borrowers who are not U.S. citizens must meet the same employment and income verification requirements as citizens, regardless of the type or source of income.

    Sources 10 · Selling Guide B3-3.1-01, General Income Information (10/07/2026): 'The lender must document income is stable, has a documented history of receipt, and is reasonably expected to continue'; 'Borrowers who are not U.S. citizens must meet the same employment and income verification requirements that are required for borrowers who are U.S. citizens, regardless of the type or source of income' · Checked October 17, 2026

12. According to Fannie Mae, HomeReady is a conventional mortgage for borrowers who meet certain income criteria: the loan can reach a loan-to-value ratio of 95.01% to 97% (a down payment from 3%) on purchases of a one-unit principal residence with a fixed rate of up to 30 years, and total annual qualifying income may not exceed 80% of the area median income.

    Sources 11 · Selling Guide B5-6-01, HomeReady Mortgage Loan and Borrower Eligibility: 'a conventional community lending mortgage that offers underwriting flexibilities to qualified borrowers who meet specific income criteria'; 'LTV, CLTV, or HCLTV Ratio 95.01 to 97%'; 'Fixed-rate loans with terms up to 30 years'; 'One-unit principal residence'; 'the total annual qualifying income may not exceed 80% of the AMI for the property's location' · Checked October 17, 2026

13. For the USDA Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan, applicants must provide evidence acceptable to the agency that they are U.S. citizens, U.S. non-citizen nationals or 'qualified aliens', as defined in §3555.10.

    Sources 12 · 7 CFR §3555.151(b), Citizenship status: 'Applicants must provide evidence acceptable to the Agency of their status as United States citizens, U.S. non-citizen nationals, or qualified aliens, as defined in § 3555.10' · Checked October 17, 2026

14. The USDA regulation points to section 401 of the 1996 PRWORA law (8 U.S.C. §1641) for the definition of 'qualified alien'.

    Sources 13 · 7 CFR §3555.10, Definitions: 'Qualified alien. See the definition of the term under Section 401 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) (8 U.S.C. 1641)' · Checked October 17, 2026

15. Under 8 U.S.C. §1641(b), a 'qualified alien' is someone who, when applying for or receiving a federal public benefit, is: a lawful permanent resident; a person granted asylum; a refugee; a person paroled under section 212(d)(5) for a period of at least 1 year; a person whose deportation is being withheld; a person granted conditional entry under the pre-1980 law; a Cuban or Haitian entrant; or a person who lawfully resides in the U.S. under a Compact of Free Association; and section 1641(c) adds certain victims of battery or extreme cruelty.

    Sources 14 · 8 U.S.C. §1641(b)–(c): 'means an alien who, at the time the alien applies for, receives, or attempts to receive a Federal public benefit, is'; 'an alien who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence'; 'an alien who is granted asylum'; 'a refugee who is admitted to the United States'; 'paroled into the United States under section 212(d)(5) of such Act'; 'for a period of at least 1 year'; 'an alien whose deportation is being withheld'; 'an alien who is granted conditional entry'; 'Cuban and Haitian entrant'; 'in accordance with a Compact of Free Association'; 'Treatment of certain battered aliens as qualified aliens' · Checked October 17, 2026

16. Under the USDA guaranteed program regulation, Rural Development only guarantees loans in areas it has designated as rural.

    Sources 15 · 7 CFR §3555.201(a): 'Rural Development will only guarantee loans made in rural areas designated as rural by Rural Development' · Checked October 17, 2026

17. Under Regulation B, a creditor may inquire about the permanent residency and immigration status of an applicant or any other person in connection with a credit transaction.

    Sources 16 · 12 CFR §1002.5(e), Permanent residency and immigration status: 'A creditor may inquire about the permanent residency and immigration status of an applicant or any other person in connection with a credit transaction' · Checked October 17, 2026

18. Under Regulation B, a creditor may consider the applicant's immigration status or status as a permanent resident, and any additional information needed to know its rights and remedies regarding repayment.

    Sources 17 · 12 CFR §1002.6(b)(7), Immigration status: 'A creditor may consider the applicant's immigration status or status as a permanent resident of the United States, and any additional information that may be necessary to ascertain the creditor's rights and remedies regarding repayment' · Checked October 17, 2026

19. The Equal Credit Opportunity Act makes it unlawful for a creditor to discriminate against an applicant in any aspect of a credit transaction on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status or age.

    Sources 18 · 15 U.S.C. §1691(a): 'It shall be unlawful for any creditor to discriminate against any applicant, with respect to any aspect of a credit transaction'; 'on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex or marital status, or age' · Checked October 17, 2026

20. The Illinois Department of Human Rights explains that the Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits using a person's immigration status to discriminate against them when renting, buying a home or applying for a mortgage; that immigration status includes, for example, people with TPS or deferred action; that refusing to rent to someone because their status has an expiration date is an example of discrimination; and that it can be reported to the Department within one year.

    Sources 19 · Immigration Status & Housing FAQ, questions 2, 3, 4 and 11: 'when renting an apartment, buying a home, applying for a mortgage, or receiving housing-related services'; 'Temporary Protected Status (TPS)'; 'Deferred action recipients'; 'has an expiration date'; 'within one year from the date when the discrimination occurred' · Checked October 17, 2026

21. The CFPB recommends contacting several lenders, because borrowers who shop around can save thousands of dollars and different lenders can offer different kinds of loans; it suggests starting with your local bank or credit union, says a housing counselor can help you identify lenders and recommends contacting at least three.

    Sources 20 · Contact multiple lenders: 'Contact several different lenders'; 'Borrowers who shop around can save thousands of dollars'; 'Different lenders can also offer different kinds of loans'; 'contact your local bank or credit union and other lenders that serve your area'; 'A housing counselor can also be a good resource to help you figure out how to identify lenders'; 'Contact at least three lenders on your list' · Checked October 17, 2026

22. According to the CFPB, the lender must give you the Loan Estimate within three business days of receiving your application; all lenders must use the same form, which makes comparing easier; and when you receive it, the lender has not yet approved or denied your application.

    Sources 21 · What is a Loan Estimate?: 'The lender must provide you a Loan Estimate within three business days of receiving your application'; 'All lenders are required to use the same standard Loan Estimate form'; 'the lender has not yet approved or denied your loan application' · Checked October 17, 2026

23. Freddie Mac says you should typically be prepared to pay between 2% and 5% of the home purchase price in closing costs.

    Sources 22 · What Are Closing Costs and How Much Will I Pay?: 'Typically, you should be prepared to pay between 2% and 5% of the home purchase price in closing fees' · Checked October 17, 2026

24. HUD-approved housing counselors give independent advice on buying a home and on whether a set of loan terms fits your goals, often at little or no cost.

    Sources 23 · Find a Housing Counselor: 'advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, forbearances, foreclosures, and credit issues'; 'whether a particular set of mortgage loan terms is a good fit based on your objectives and circumstances'; 'often at little or no cost to you' · Checked October 17, 2026

25. According to the Justice Department's Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), only certain people can represent you, including licensed attorneys and accredited representatives; notarios, document preparers, immigration consultants and travel agents are not allowed to practice law or give you legal advice.

    Sources 24 · Can Someone Represent You Before EOIR?: 'Only certain individuals can represent you before EOIR'; 'Those include validly licensed attorneys and accredited representatives'; 'Notarios, document preparers, immigration consultants, and travel agents are not allowed to practice law'; 'They cannot give you legal advice' · Checked October 17, 2026

26. EOIR publishes the lists of recognized organizations and accredited representatives, also sorted by state.

    Sources 25 · Recognition & Accreditation (R&A) Program, roster reports: 'Recognized Organizations List'; 'Accredited Representatives List'; 'Organizations and Representatives, Listed by State' · Checked October 17, 2026