City, United States — Trump Administration Ends TPS for Somali Nationals.
The Trump administration has announced the termination of temporary protected status (TPS) for Somali nationals living in the United States, effective March 2026.
The decision impacts 705 individuals who must leave the country or face deportation.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that the improvements in Somalia’s conditions now allow the country to no longer qualify for TPS under federal law. Officials commented on the matter. “
Temporary means temporary, and allowing Somali nationals to remain is contrary to our national interests.”.
Donald Trump had initially signaled his intention to end TPS for Somalis in November 2025, claiming that Somali gangs were terrorizing residents and that billions of dollars were missing.
The administration has previously used concerns about fraud in Minnesota, where a significant Somali community resides, as a rationale for increasing immigration enforcement in the state.
The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St.
Paul recently filed a lawsuit against the administration, accusing it of targeting the state due to its diversity and political disagreements with the federal government.
The lawsuit claims that “DHS agents have sown chaos and terror across the metropolitan area.”
The decision comes amidst ongoing tensions between the federal government and state authorities over immigration policies.
Last week, the fatal shooting of an American citizen by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis sparked widespread protests across the United States.
The TPS program was first implemented in 1991 during Somalia’s civil war by the administration of President George HW Bush. It has been repeatedly renewed by successive administrations, including an extension by President Joe Biden in September 2024.
However, the situation in Somalia remains unstable.
According to UN reports, the country is plagued by persistent violence from al — Shabaab militants, severe drought conditions, and widespread humanitarian crises that have displaced millions of people internally. Human rights organizations have warned that returning Somali nationals to the country could place them at severe risk.
As the deadline for the withdrawal of TPS approaches, the fate of these individuals remains uncertain. Further details are expected as the situation unfolds.
