Washington, D.C. — The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that it will terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali nationals currently residing in the United States, a move that will require many of them to leave the country by March 17, 2026.
Under the decision, Somali nationals who were granted TPS, a humanitarian immigration program that allows people from countries afflicted by war, environmental disaster, or other extraordinary conditions to live and work in the United States without fear of deportation, will no longer be shielded from removal, unless they qualify for another legal immigration status.
Government Justification
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the conditions in Somalia have improved sufficiently that they no longer meet the legal criteria for TPS, which is designed to be temporary.
“Temporary means temporary,” Noem said in a statement, adding that allowing Somali nationals to stay under TPS “is contrary to our national interests.”
The department did not immediately provide detailed evidence of the claimed improvements in Somalia, a country that continues to struggle with political instability and security threats from militant groups such as al-Shabaab.
🚨 BREAKING: President Trump and Secretary Noem have officially ENDED Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalis in the United StatesTHOUSANDS must leave by March 17th, or they’ll be deported.FINALLY!
Scope and Impact
According to data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, roughly 2,471 Somali nationals currently hold TPS in the United States, with an additional 1,383 applications still pending.
Many of the affected individuals live in communities such as Minnesota, which has one of the largest Somali diasporas in the country.
The move comes amid a broader immigration enforcement push by the Trump administration, which has ended or curtailed TPS designations for nationals from several other countries in recent years as part of efforts to reduce immigration.
Local and Legal Reactions
The decision has drawn criticism and legal challenges.
Officials in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, have filed lawsuits claiming that the policy unfairly targets their diverse populations.
Civil rights advocates argue that the move could tear families apart and force individuals to return to a country that remains unsafe for many.
Advocacy groups also warn that ending TPS could have profound humanitarian consequences, as many Somali TPS holders have lived in the United States for years, building lives, families, and careers, and may face danger if they are forced to repatriate.
BREAKING: The Trump administration is ending temporary protection status, known as TPS, for Somalia, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told ABC News in a statement. abcnews.link/PoLq77B
Broader Immigration Policy Context
TPS was originally granted to Somali nationals in 1991 in response to the country’s civil war.
Over the decades, the designation has been extended multiple times by successive U.S. administrations.
Critics of the latest termination argue that genuine conditions in Somalia, including ongoing conflict and security concerns, still warrant protective status for those who cannot safely return home.
The termination reflects a broader shift in U.S. immigration policy under President Trump, which has included changes to asylum rules, border enforcement, and restrictions on other TPS designations.
What Happens Next
Somali nationals affected by the TPS termination will have until March 17, 2026, to depart the United States voluntarily or find alternative legal avenues to remain, such as asylum or other visa categories.
Failing to do so could make them subject to deportation proceedings.
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