The decision, made by the Donald Trump administration, gives affected Somali nationals 60 days to leave the country or risk removal once the protection expires on March 17, unless the move is stopped by the courts.
Temporary Protected Status allows immigrants from countries facing war, natural disasters, or other serious crises to live and work legally in the US without fear of deportation. Once TPS is withdrawn, beneficiaries lose their legal stay and work permits.
US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the administration had reviewed conditions in Somalia and concluded that the country no longer qualifies for the programme under US law.
“Temporary means temporary,” Noem said in a statement.
“Conditions in Somalia have improved to the extent that it no longer meets the legal requirements for TPS. Allowing Somali nationals to remain in the United States is no longer in the national interest. We are putting Americans first.”
According to the Department of Homeland Security, about 2,471 Somali nationals are currently protected under TPS, with another 1,383 applications still pending. All affected individuals have been directed to leave the US by March 17.
The decision has sparked concern among immigrant rights groups, especially in Minnesota, which hosts the largest Somali diaspora in the United States.
The announcement comes amid heightened immigration enforcement in the state, with federal authorities citing national security and fraud concerns.
President Trump has previously made strong remarks against Somali immigration and has repeatedly argued for stricter immigration controls.
President Trump has previously made strong remarks against Somali immigration and has repeatedly argued for stricter immigration controls.
Last month, he referred to Somalia as “barely a country” during a public appearance, remarks that drew widespread criticism.
The Department of Homeland Security also faced backlash after sharing a social media post featuring President Trump with the caption “I am the captain now,” a message that advocacy groups described as insensitive and provocative.
TPS for Somalia was first introduced in 1991 under President George H. W. Bush following the outbreak of civil war.
The Department of Homeland Security also faced backlash after sharing a social media post featuring President Trump with the caption “I am the captain now,” a message that advocacy groups described as insensitive and provocative.
TPS for Somalia was first introduced in 1991 under President George H. W. Bush following the outbreak of civil war.
Since then, the designation has been renewed multiple times by both Republican and Democratic administrations, most recently by the Biden administration for the maximum allowed period of 18 months.
The Trump administration has also moved to end TPS protections for other countries, including Haiti, Venezuela, Afghanistan, and Nepal.
The Trump administration has also moved to end TPS protections for other countries, including Haiti, Venezuela, Afghanistan, and Nepal.
Some of those decisions have been challenged in court, with judges previously blocking the termination of TPS for Haitians and Venezuelans.
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