Trump Administration Ends Temporary protected Status for Somali immigrants
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The Trump administration announced on January 13, 2021, that it would terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali immigrants, requiring those with the designation to depart the United States by March 17, 2021.
What is temporary Protected Status?
Temporary Protected Status is a designation given to nationals of certain countries experiencing extraordinary and temporary conditions, such as armed conflict, natural disasters, or epidemics. It allows individuals already in the United States to remain and work without fear of deportation. The program was established by the Immigration Act of 1990.
According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Secretary of Homeland Security can designate a country for TPS based on three statutory grounds.
The Decision to terminate TPS for Somalia
The Department of Homeland Security resolute that the conditions in Somalia that prompted the original TPS designation in 1991 no longer exist to a degree that warrants a continued extension. The decision was based on a review of country conditions, including improvements in security and stability.
In a Federal Register notice published on January 13, 2021, the DHS stated that “while Somalia continues to face serious challenges, the conditions no longer prevent nationals of Somalia from returning safely.”
Impact on Somali Immigrants
The termination of TPS for Somalia affects approximately 250 Somali nationals who had been authorized to live and work in the United States under the program. Thes individuals where required to depart the U.S. by March 17, 2021, or face deportation proceedings.
Advocacy groups, such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), criticized the decision, arguing that Somalia remains unstable and dangerous, and that returning TPS holders would put them at risk. They also pointed to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Somalia.
legal Challenges
The decision to end TPS for somalia faced legal challenges. In July 2021, a federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to end TPS for somalia,citing procedural flaws in the decision-making process. The court found that the acting Secretary of Homeland Security at the time was not lawfully appointed.
As of January 13, 2026, the status of TPS for Somali nationals remains subject to ongoing litigation and legal developments. The Biden administration has taken steps to review and potentially extend TPS designations for various countries, including Somalia, but no final decision has been made as of this date.
