WASHINGTON, United States — The administration of President Donald Trump has ended the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for South Sudanese nationals, directing them to leave the United States within 60 days or face deportation.
The decision, announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Wednesday, brings to an end a 14-year protection programme that allowed South Sudanese citizens to live and work legally in the U.S. following years of civil conflict in their home country.
In a statement, DHS said the move followed a review that concluded that “the conditions in South Sudan no longer support a continued designation under the TPS statute.”
The department noted that the security and humanitarian situation had “significantly improved,” warranting a return of nationals to their country.
“The Department has determined that South Sudan no longer meets the criteria for Temporary Protected Status,” the statement read. “Accordingly, the programme will terminate effective January 5, 2026, following a 60-day wind-down period.”
The decision means that thousands of South Sudanese who have lived in the U.S. since the country’s independence in 2011 will either have to regularise their immigration status or prepare to return home. During the transition period, beneficiaries will retain work authorisation and protection from removal until the expiration date.
Humanitarian organisations and rights advocates have condemned the move, warning that South Sudan remains unstable and unsafe for return. The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and Human Rights Watch have repeatedly cited persistent ethnic violence, displacement, and food insecurity in parts of the country.
“This decision ignores the on-the-ground realities in South Sudan,” said a spokesperson for the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES). “Ending TPS now will place thousands of lives at risk and disrupt families who have built their lives here for over a decade.”
The Trump administration has defended its stance, saying it is committed to restoring “integrity” to the U.S. immigration system by ensuring that temporary protections do not become permanent residence by default.
TPS was first granted to South Sudan in 2011 after years of brutal conflict and instability following its secession from Sudan. It has been periodically renewed by successive administrations until now.
For now, South Sudanese nationals living in the U.S. are being urged to consult immigration attorneys and explore alternative legal options before the January 2026 deadline.
