United States ends Temporary Protected Status for Nicaraguans and 12 other nationalities

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has terminated the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 2,000 Nicaraguan migrants, along with individuals from 12 other nationalities. This move follows previous attempts by the Trump administration to end the program, which were initially blocked by federal courts.

While a judicial appeal is still pending, the DHS's decision is influenced by a Supreme Court ruling that affirmed the administration's authority to conclude TPS designations. The termination order requires affected migrants to leave the United States or face deportation. Besides Nicaragua, TPS has been ended for migrants from Haiti, Honduras, Venezuela, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Cameroon, Nepal, South Africa, Burma, Somalia, and Ethiopia.

TPS is a temporary legal status granted to individuals fleeing countries experiencing war, natural disasters, or extreme conditions, allowing them to reside and work legally in the U.S. for 18-month periods. Nicaraguans first received TPS in 1999 following Hurricane Mitch. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), around 2,900 Nicaraguans held TPS as of recent reports, a decrease from previous years.

Legal experts note that TPS is not a pathway to permanent residency or citizenship, but a humanitarian measure. Migrants seeking to regularize their status must explore other legal avenues within U.S. immigration law. The Pew Research Center estimates that over one million migrants will be affected by these TPS terminations, with Venezuelans and Haitians constituting the largest groups.