BREAKING: Trump and Secretary Noem End Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalis

Trump and Secretary Noem End Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalis — Thousands Must Leave by March 17 or Face Deportation

 The Trump administration has officially announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali nationals in the United States, a major immigration shift that will force thousands of Somalis to leave by March 17, 2026 or face deportation. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the decision, saying “temporary means temporary,” and asserting that **Somalia no longer meets the conditions for TPS under U.S. law.” 

Under this new policy, Somali migrants currently protected under TPS — including those living and working legally in cities such as Minneapolis — will lose their deportation relief and work authorization when the status expires. DHS officials estimate that roughly 2,400 Somali nationals with TPS or pending applications will be affected, with potentially hundreds in Minnesota alone. 

Critics argue that Somalia remains unsafe due to ongoing conflict, drought, and instability, and say terminating TPS will put vulnerable families at risk. Humanitarian and civil rights groups have condemned the move as discriminatory. 

The Guardian

The policy marks a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s immigration agenda and has sparked protests and legal challenges ahead of the March 17 deadline.

Immigration experts warn that ending TPS for Somalis in the United States could have severe economic and social consequences. Many Somali TPS holders have lived in the U.S. for decades, working in essential industries such as healthcare, transportation, and small businesses. Losing legal status may force families into uncertainty, separation, and financial hardship.

Legal advocates are urging affected individuals to explore alternative immigration options, including asylum applications, adjustment of status, or humanitarian relief, before the March 17 deportation deadline. Community organizations across Minnesota, Ohio, and other states with large Somali populations have begun organizing legal clinics and protests to challenge the decision.

The termination of Temporary Protected Status is part of a broader immigration crackdown under President Trump, who has repeatedly argued for stricter enforcement and reductions in humanitarian programs. Supporters of the policy say TPS was never meant to be permanent and that immigration laws must be enforced consistently.

However, critics counter that Somalia remains unstable, citing threats from extremist groups, food insecurity, and lack of basic infrastructure. Human rights organizations warn that deporting Somali nationals could expose them to violence and humanitarian crises upon return.

As legal battles loom and advocacy efforts intensify, the future remains uncertain for thousands of Somali families in the U.S., making this one of the most controversial immigration decisions of the year.