The Trump administration is ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali immigrants, making it easier for the U.S. government to deport thousands of individuals previously protected under this program.
Country conditions in Somalia have improved to the point that it no longer meets the law's requirement, said U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in a recent interview with Fox News.
With the termination of TPS, approximately 2,500 Somali nationals in the U.S. will lose their work authorizations and legal status starting March 17, 2026, which places them at risk of deportation.
President Trump has been vocal about his stance against Somali immigrants, initiating a crackdown on undocumented individuals in Minneapolis, home to a large Somali community. This has raised concerns about the broader implications for immigrant populations, particularly in areas where law enforcement has intensified raids.
Noem's announcement follows a recent surge of immigration enforcement in Minnesota, which is being scrutinized due to allegations linking Somali immigrants to a federal investigation concerning fraud in the state's childcare system.
The termination of TPS for Somalis echoes previous attempts by the administration to end similar protections for other countries, such as Haiti, which have faced legal pushback in the courts.
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