The Trump administration is terminating Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali immigrants, requiring them to depart the U.S. by March 17, 2026, as confirmed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This decision follows the administration’s pattern of tightening immigration policies toward countries in Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East, with specific criticism directed towards Somalis. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem cited improved conditions in Somalia and the alleged conflict with national interests as justification for ending TPS. The move continues a trend of challenging the status of immigrants with TPS, with previous efforts to end the program for other nations facing legal challenges.
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A California federal judge criticized DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s decision to strip Temporary Protected Status from tens of thousands of immigrants from Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua, deeming it “pretextual” and potentially driven by “racial animus.” Judge Thompson, citing the Administrative Procedures Act, found the decision “arbitrary and capricious” as it prioritized outcomes over legal compliance. The judge highlighted statements by Noem and Trump that reflected racist rhetoric, leading her to believe their policies promoted the debunked “replacement theory.” In response, the DHS assistant secretary blasted the order as “lawless” and “activist”.
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An appeals court has intervened to maintain work and deportation protections for nearly 12,000 Afghan nationals in the U.S., which were slated to expire under the Department of Homeland Security’s decision. The court’s stay, prompted by a lawsuit from a non-profit immigrant advocacy group, will remain in effect for one week while the court considers the case. The lawsuit challenged the revocation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghans, who were initially deemed safe to return to their home country. The decision to end TPS has faced criticism, especially considering that many of the Afghans provided assistance to U.S. forces during the war in Afghanistan.
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John Q. Hosedrinker