WASHINGTON — The Trump administration announced on Tuesday that it is terminating Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali nationals residing in the United States, a decision that will force hundreds of individuals to depart the country or face deportation.
The directive, issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), sets an effective deadline of March 17, 2026. This date marks the expiration of the current protections, which were last extended by the Biden administration.
“Temporary Means Temporary”
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem defended the move, stating that the humanitarian conditions in Somalia—which originally warranted the designation in 1991—have stabilized sufficiently to allow for the safe return of nationals. “Temporary means temporary,” Noem affirmed, emphasizing an “Americans first” approach to immigration policy.
This decision impacts approximately 705 individuals, a relatively small segment of the 1.3 million immigrants currently covered by TPS nationwide. However, the move is part of a broader executive strategy that has seen protections revoked for nationals from multiple countries since the start of President Trump’s second term.
Minneapolis as a Flashpoint
The announcement coincides with intensified federal enforcement operations in Minneapolis, a city with a significant Somali-American population. Tensions have risen in recent days following the deployment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to the area.
The administration’s focus on the Somali community has been sharpened by recent allegations of financial misconduct. Last week, reports surfaced regarding federal inquiries into local programs, a situation that has drawn scrutiny from key administration figures. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has previously targeted alleged fraud involving Somali money in Minnesota, fueling a narrative that President Trump has used to justify stricter enforcement measures.
Political Fallout
The termination of TPS has reignited the long-standing friction between President Trump and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.). Trump has frequently singled out the Congresswoman and the Somali community in Minneapolis, recently reiterating claims that immigrants in the region “contribute nothing”, a statement that did not distinguish between TPS holders and U.S. citizens.
Rep. Omar, who has vocally opposed the increased ICE presence in her district, characterized the President’s fixation on Somali-Americans as “unhealthy” and politically motivated.
Background
TPS was established by Congress in 1990 to provide safe haven for foreign nationals whose home countries are beset by armed conflict or natural disasters. Somalia was first designated for TPS in 1991 under President George H.W. Bush following the collapse of the Siad Barre regime. Despite the DHS ruling that conditions have improved, international observers note that the Horn of Africa nation continues to grapple with security challenges and climate-induced instability
