Homeland Security Ends TPS Designation for Yemen
The Department of Homeland Security announced on February 13 that it will terminate Yemen’s temporary protected status (TPS) designation.
DHS has not published the Federal Register notice detailing this policy change. According to the federal agency’s press release, Yemeni nationals will have 60 days after its proposal goes live to either:
- Leave the U.S. voluntarily, or
- Apply for another legal immigration status.
The agency has ended TPS for several countries in the last year, including Venezuela, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Nicaragua, and Syria. Most of these revocations have been blocked in court, leaving these TPS recipients with unclear guidance.
As with previous TPS terminations, Homeland Security permits affected Yemenis to voluntarily depart the country using the CBP Home Mobile App. Those who choose to do so may receive a $2,600 exit bonus, complimentary plane ticket, and “potential future opportunities for legal immigration.”
What Yemeni nationals under TPS can do now
Manifest immigration attorney Ana Gabriela Urizar notes that while TPS terminations can be blocked by successful litigation, those affected should still consider finding another status. “Court cases can take months to adjudicate, and by that point your ability to legally remain in the U.S. may have expired,” she says. “Given that DHS only gives you 60 days, I recommend consulting with an attorney who can walk you through immediate next steps.”
Regardless, Urizar also recommends monitoring the news for TPS updates. If a federal court challenges a termination from DHS, the designation may be restored. Most recently, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ruled in favor of preserving TPS for Haitians.
More resources on Temporary Protected Status updates
