The Trump administration has ended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of Cameroon, Ethiopia, Somalia, and South Sudan living in the United States, as part of a broader rollback of humanitarian immigration programs. This decision affects eligible individuals from these four African nations who relied on TPS to remain and work legally in the U.S., and without another lawful immigration status, they risk losing their legal standing.
What is Temporary Protected Status?
TPS is a temporary humanitarian program that allows eligible nationals of designated countries to remain in the United States when conditions such as armed conflict, natural disasters, or extraordinary circumstances prevent their safe return. The designation does not grant permanent residency or a pathway to U.S. citizenship. Somalia is among the latest countries to face TPS termination, joining a growing list of affected nations under the administration’s immigration policy shift.
Countries Affected by the Broader TPS Rollback
The broader TPS rollback affects multiple nations, including Afghanistan, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Haiti, Honduras, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen. For affected individuals without an alternative valid immigration status, the end of TPS protection leads to the revocation of employment authorization and raises fears of potential deportation.
However, termination does not trigger automatic deportation for everyone. Individuals with pending immigration applications, active legal claims, or qualifications for other protection forms may still maintain a legal basis to stay in the United States.
Background of TPS Designations
The decisions reflect a broader effort by the administration to scale back long-standing TPS designations. While intended as a temporary fix, protections for several nations were repeatedly extended over the years due to persistent underlying risks. For example, Somalia was first granted TPS in 1991 following the collapse of its central government, maintaining protected status through successive extensions. South Sudan and Ethiopia received TPS designations in response to ongoing conflict, instability, and severe humanitarian crises.
With these policy changes taking effect, affected nationals face growing uncertainty over their legal status and future ability to work in the United States.
