Trump Administration Announces End to Temporary Protected Status for Somali Nationals
U.S. government says Somali Temporary Protected Status will lapse in March, requiring affected immigrants to depart or seek alternative status
The Trump administration has announced that it will terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali nationals residing in the United States, with the current designation set to expire on March 17, 2026, and no extension planned.
The Department of Homeland Security said that conditions in Somalia have improved sufficiently that the country no longer meets the legal criteria for TPS, a programme established to shield foreign nationals when conflict, disasters or other extraordinary conditions make return unsafe.
The policy shift follows a series of immigration enforcement actions by the administration and comes amid heightened scrutiny of Somali communities in parts of the U.S.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem emphasised that “temporary means temporary” and argued that terminating the programme aligns with broader national interests and immigration priorities.
Under the decision, Somali nationals who currently hold TPS and those with pending applications will have until mid-March to make alternative arrangements, including departure from the United States, adjustment through another legal immigration channel, or facing possible deportation proceedings.
TPS for Somalia was first designated in 1991 in response to protracted civil conflict and humanitarian crises.
The status has been extended numerous times over the decades, most recently under the Biden administration to cover protection through March 2026. The latest decision represents a significant reversal by the Trump administration of that extension and a narrowing of humanitarian protections available to vulnerable migrants.
The move has sparked concern among immigrant advocacy groups and some local officials, who argue that conditions in Somalia remain unstable, citing ongoing conflict and security threats that make return perilous for many.
Critics also contend that the policy could disrupt families and communities where Somali nationals have lived, worked and contributed to U.S. society for years.
Supporters of the decision in the administration have framed it as part of efforts to reinforce immigration laws and prioritise the interests of American citizens.
With the March deadline approaching, legal advocates are expected to explore challenges and alternatives for those affected.
Meanwhile, many Somali TPS holders and community leaders are preparing to navigate the complex implications of the policy change for individuals and their families across the country.
The Department of Homeland Security said that conditions in Somalia have improved sufficiently that the country no longer meets the legal criteria for TPS, a programme established to shield foreign nationals when conflict, disasters or other extraordinary conditions make return unsafe.
The policy shift follows a series of immigration enforcement actions by the administration and comes amid heightened scrutiny of Somali communities in parts of the U.S.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem emphasised that “temporary means temporary” and argued that terminating the programme aligns with broader national interests and immigration priorities.
Under the decision, Somali nationals who currently hold TPS and those with pending applications will have until mid-March to make alternative arrangements, including departure from the United States, adjustment through another legal immigration channel, or facing possible deportation proceedings.
TPS for Somalia was first designated in 1991 in response to protracted civil conflict and humanitarian crises.
The status has been extended numerous times over the decades, most recently under the Biden administration to cover protection through March 2026. The latest decision represents a significant reversal by the Trump administration of that extension and a narrowing of humanitarian protections available to vulnerable migrants.
The move has sparked concern among immigrant advocacy groups and some local officials, who argue that conditions in Somalia remain unstable, citing ongoing conflict and security threats that make return perilous for many.
Critics also contend that the policy could disrupt families and communities where Somali nationals have lived, worked and contributed to U.S. society for years.
Supporters of the decision in the administration have framed it as part of efforts to reinforce immigration laws and prioritise the interests of American citizens.
With the March deadline approaching, legal advocates are expected to explore challenges and alternatives for those affected.
Meanwhile, many Somali TPS holders and community leaders are preparing to navigate the complex implications of the policy change for individuals and their families across the country.
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