WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Trump administration has officially terminated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for thousands of Afghans and Cameroonians living in the U.S., a move that expands the scope of the administration’s immigration crackdown.
According to a U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson, approximately 14,600 Afghans who had been granted TPS will lose their protections in May, while about 7,900 Cameroonians will face the same fate in June.
The decision marks a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy under President Donald Trump, who has made it a priority to reduce the number of migrants residing in the country illegally.
The termination of TPS for these groups builds on his earlier efforts to strip migrants of temporary legal protections, thereby increasing the pool of potential deportees.
TPS is granted to individuals from countries experiencing natural disasters, armed conflict, or other extraordinary circumstances.
It protects beneficiaries from deportation and allows them to apply for work permits.
However, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem determined that conditions in Afghanistan and Cameroon no longer justified the continuation of these protections, according to a statement from Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin.
The move comes on the heels of Trump’s earlier efforts to end TPS for several countries, including Haiti and El Salvador, during his first term.
While these attempts were thwarted by federal courts, Trump has continued to push for a stricter immigration policy.
A recent federal court ruling blocked the administration’s attempt to end TPS for Venezuelans, accusing officials of making racially charged claims about the migrants.
In addition to ending TPS, the Department of Homeland Security has also revoked parole for some Afghan migrants who entered the U.S. following the Taliban’s takeover in 2021.
The U.S. had evacuated over 82,000 Afghans, with more than 70,000 entering under temporary “parole” status.
However, many of these individuals are now facing revocation notices and are being given just seven days to leave the country.
DHS confirmed that it had used its discretionary authority to revoke the parole of some individuals, although the exact number of revocations was not disclosed.
This move adds to the growing frustration among immigrant advocacy groups, who argue that the revocation of temporary legal status, especially for vulnerable populations, undermines the rights of those fleeing violence and persecution.
Critics have also pointed out the inconsistency in how protections are applied to various groups, including recent errors where Ukrainian migrants received incorrect deportation notices.
