Trump Administration Ends Temporary Protected Status for Somali Nationals in U.S.

The Trump administration has announced that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali nationals living in the United States will be terminated, affecting hundreds of thousands of individuals who have lived and worked in the country under the humanitarian program.

Under the decision, Somali TPS holders — many of whom have lived in the U.S. for years after fleeing conflict, famine, and instability — are set to lose their protected status and work authorization. The move ends a designation that had shielded them from deportation and allowed them to build lives here while conditions in Somalia remained unsafe.

Officials said the decision reflects an assessment that conditions in Somalia have improved sufficiently to no longer warrant extended protections under U.S. immigration law. They argued that the change aligns with broader efforts to ensure that TPS designations are reserved for genuinely temporary crises.

However, the announcement has prompted immediate concern from immigrant rights advocates, faith groups, and some lawmakers, who warned that ending TPS could put longtime community members at risk of removal to a country many have not seen in decades. Advocates argue that Somalia remains unstable and that returning to the region could endanger families with ties to the U.S.

TPS holders expressed shock and anxiety over the decision, saying they face an uncertain future. Many said they feared for their safety if forced to return and underscored their deep connections to American communities where they have raised families, started businesses, and contributed to local economies.

Some members of Congress have already said they intend to push for legislative solutions to protect TPS holders, highlighting the humanitarian and economic contributions of the Somali community in the United States. They called on the administration to reconsider or phase changes to avoid abrupt disruptions for individuals and families.

The termination of Somali TPS adds to a broader national debate over immigration policy and the future of humanitarian protections in the U.S. As affected individuals and advocates weigh legal options, uncertainty looms over what the end of TPS will mean for thousands of Somali nationals and their relatives.

Author: M.J