Homeland Security Ends TPS Protections for Somalia
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on January 13 that it will terminate Somalia’s temporary protected status designation.
According to the Federal Register notice scheduled for January 14, Somali TPS holders have until March 17, 2026, to:
- Leave the U.S. voluntarily, or
- Obtain another legal immigration status.
The Immigration and Nationality Act allows DHS to terminate a country’s TPS designation if it no longer qualifies for protections after review. The Federal Register notice states that “while some extraordinary and temporary conditions may exist in Somalia,” Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has ruled that Somalis can return to their country safely.
The move follows allegations of fraud in Minnesota, which has a large Somali immigrant community. Although the charges date back to 2022, many of the accused were of Somali or Somali-American descent, and the allegations have resurfaced in recent headlines. Last week, USCIS also announced that it would begin re-examining refugee cases in the state.
In its press release announcing the revocation of the TPS designation, DHS said that affected foreign nationals can self-report their departures through the CBP Home Mobile App. According to the federal agency, those who voluntarily exit the country may receive a complimentary plane ticket, a $1,000 exit bonus, and “potential future opportunities for legal immigration.”
DHS has terminated several TPS designations over the past year. Most recently, the federal agency has ruled to end TPS protections for Ethiopian nationals.
What Somalis under TPS can do now
Manifest immigration attorney Ana Gabriela Urizar urges those affected to find another immigration status prior to the final TPS effective date. “Consult with an immigration lawyer on whether you qualify for a work visa or Green Card right away,” she recommends. “Without a valid status, you may jeopardize your ability to remain in the U.S. legally after March 17.”
Urizar also recommends monitoring the news for TPS updates. If a federal court challenges a termination from DHS, the designation may be restored.
More resources on Temporary Protected Status updates
