The Trump administration has formally ended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of Somalia, requiring affected individuals to leave the United States by March 17, 2026, according to federal officials.
The decision impacts thousands of Somali nationals nationwide, including several hundred living in Minnesota, who had been allowed to remain in the U.S. under humanitarian protections tied to conditions in their home country.
“Temporary means temporary,” said Kristi Noem to Fox News, who currently serves as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Noem stated that conditions in Somalia have improved enough that the country no longer qualifies under federal law for TPS designation.
“Country conditions in Somalia have improved to the point that it no longer meets the law’s requirement for Temporary Protected Status,” Noem said. She added that continuing to allow Somali nationals to remain in the U.S. under TPS is “contrary to our national interests.”
Thousands Affected Nationwide
According to sources at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, 2,471 Somali nationals are currently living in the United States under TPS, with an additional 1,383 individuals having pending TPS applications.
Minnesota is home to an estimated 600 Somali nationals who are protected under the program, making the state one of the most heavily impacted by the termination.
TPS for Somalia was first granted in 1991 due to the country’s prolonged civil war and humanitarian crisis. The status had been repeatedly extended by prior administrations, most recently under Joe Biden in September 2024.
Departure Deadline Set
With the designation now terminated, Somali nationals covered by TPS will be required to depart the United States or obtain another lawful immigration status by the March 17 deadline.
The Department of Homeland Security has not announced any grace period or automatic extensions beyond that date.
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- NMD Staff
News@NewMediaDetroit.com