In a major shift in U.S. immigration policy, the Trump administration has announced it will terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali immigrants, affecting hundreds of residents and continuing the former president’s hardline immigration agenda.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that Somali nationals currently under TPS must leave the United States by March 17, 2026, when their protections—most recently extended by President Joe Biden—expire. “Temporary means temporary,” said DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, emphasizing that the decision prioritizes “Americans first.”
The announcement comes amid heightened tensions in Minneapolis, home to one of the largest Somali-American populations in the U.S., where protests have intensified following the fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by an ICE agent during demonstrations against federal immigration enforcement.
What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a humanitarian immigration program established by Congress in 1990 to protect foreign nationals from deportation if their home countries are affected by armed conflict, natural disasters, or unsafe conditions. TPS allows eligible immigrants to live and work legally in the U.S. for a limited time, until their home country becomes safe for return.
Somalia first received TPS designation in 1991, during the civil war under President George H.W. Bush. Since then, the status has been extended multiple times, most recently by President Biden in July 2024. According to the Congressional Research Service, roughly 705 Somali immigrants hold TPS—out of 1.3 million total TPS recipients nationwide.
Although the number is small, ending TPS for Somalis has significant social and humanitarian implications due to the community’s deep roots in Minneapolis and other U.S. cities.
Why TPS for Somalis is Ending
Secretary Noem stated that conditions in Somalia have improved sufficiently to no longer meet the legal requirements for TPS. She framed the move as consistent with the administration’s focus on protecting American workers and reducing protections that have lasted for decades.
However, critics argue this assessment does not reflect reality. Somalia continues to face political instability, armed conflict, extreme poverty, and recurring natural disasters, including severe droughts. A 2025 congressional report noted that Somali TPS recipients had received over two dozen extensions due to “ongoing armed conflict and insecurity,” highlighting the persistent risks to returnees.
Political Context and Controversy
The Somali-American community has long been a target of President Trump’s rhetoric. In December 2025, he called Somali immigrants “from hell” and accused them of contributing “nothing” to U.S. society. His criticism extended to Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Minnesota Democrat and Somali refugee, repeatedly suggesting she should be deported despite her U.S. citizenship and using derogatory language to describe her publicly.
Rep. Omar has condemned these attacks as “creepy and unhealthy,” highlighting the tension between immigration enforcement, politics, and racial or ethnic communities in the United States. Minneapolis remains a flashpoint for debates about federal immigration enforcement, community safety, and local governance.
The Human Impact
For Somali TPS holders, the decision introduces uncertainty and fear. Many have lived in the U.S. for decades, building families, businesses, and community networks. Deportation could disrupt families, harm local economies, and worsen humanitarian crises both in the U.S. and Somalia.
Immigration lawyers advise affected individuals to seek legal guidance immediately. While options such as asylum or other humanitarian protections exist, they are limited and difficult to obtain. For many families, navigating the U.S. immigration system under these circumstances will be extremely challenging.
Broader Implications for U.S. Immigration Policy
Ending TPS for Somali immigrants is part of the Trump administration’s broader immigration enforcement agenda, which has rolled back protections for multiple countries and reduced humanitarian pathways. This move signals a stricter approach to Temporary Protected Status and other humanitarian immigration programs, with potential ripple effects for vulnerable immigrant communities across the U.S.
As the March 17, 2026 deadline approaches, protests, legal challenges, and congressional debates are expected. Advocates and policymakers are closely monitoring developments, while Somali-American communities prepare to respond to this critical policy shift.
Key Takeaways
The Trump administration will terminate Temporary Protected Status for Somali immigrants, requiring them to leave the U.S. by March 17, 2026.
TPS was created in 1990 to protect immigrants from unsafe conditions in their home countries; Somalia has been under TPS since 1991.
The Somali TPS population in the U.S. is small—roughly 705 people—but the impact is significant for Minneapolis and other communities.
Critics argue Somalia remains unsafe due to armed conflict, political instability, and natural disasters, challenging the administration’s claim that conditions have improved.
Somali-American communities have been politically targeted, with Rep. Ilhan Omar highlighting the personal and community impact of rhetoric and policy enforcement.
Deportation could disrupt families, communities, and local economies, while highlighting tensions in U.S. immigration policy and humanitarian commitments.