Trump Administration Ends Temporary Protected Status for Somali Immigrants

Wed Jan 14 2026 00:04:49 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a controversial move, the Trump administration has announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali immigrants, requiring them to leave the U.S. by March 17. This step is part of a broader immigration crackdown amid protests in Minneapolis, where many Somali-Americans reside.

The Department of Homeland Security has decided to end TPS for Somali immigrants, affecting around 705 individuals. Despite facing ongoing conflict and instability, the administration argues that conditions in Somalia have improved sufficiently. This decision has prompted significant backlash, particularly in Minneapolis, where protests against recent ICE actions have intensified.

Donald Trump’s administration announced on Tuesday that it will terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for immigrants from Somalia, a significant aspect of the president's broader deportation agenda.

The decision impacts hundreds of Somalis with TPS protections currently residing in the United States. This move comes amid heightened tensions over immigration enforcement in Minneapolis, where many Somali-Americans live. Protests have escalated in response to the recent killing of a U.S. citizen by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent during a demonstration.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has stipulated that those affected must exit the U.S. by March 17, coinciding with the expiration of the protections last renewed by former President Joe Biden.

Temporary means temporary, declared Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, justifying the administration's action as prioritizing the interests of Americans.

According to the Congressional Research Service, as of last spring, the Somali TPS population was around 705, representing a small fraction of nearly 1.3 million TPS immigrants in the U.S. Trump's administration has previously eliminated protections for various immigrant groups from multiple countries.

The TPS program, which commenced in 1990, was designed to assist individuals from countries experiencing severe instability or violence. The original TPS designation for Somalia emerged during the civil war in 1991.

Noem further asserted that improvements in conditions in Somalia warranted the removal of TPS, despite longstanding issues the country continues to face, including chronic poverty and recurrent crises such as droughts and violence.

The proposed conclusion of these protections has drawn ire from many advocates, especially given that Somalia has received numerous extensions due to ongoing armed conflicts and threats to the safety of returnees.

Critics have denounced Trump’s previous characterizations of Somali immigrants, linking them to unfounded allegations of fraud and criminality. Rep. Ilhan Omar, a vocal critic of the administration's policies, has called the obsession with Somali immigrants creepy and unhealthy. She has faced personal attacks from Trump, despite her status as a U.S. citizen.

The fate of the affected individuals now hangs in the balance as the deadline approaches, with many urging the administration to reconsider its decision amidst significant protests and calls for justice in affected communities.