By Trendsetter Tribune 
The Trump administration announced it will terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali nationals in March, requiring approximately 2,400 individuals to leave the U.S., sparking criticism from Minnesota officials and immigrant advocates.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Tuesday that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali nationals will end on March 17, 2026, effectively requiring roughly 2,400 people to leave the United States unless court action intervenes.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem stated, “Temporary means temporary. Country conditions in Somalia have improved to the point that it no longer meets the law’s requirement for Temporary Protected Status. Further, allowing Somali nationals to remain temporarily in the United States is contrary to our national interests. We are putting Americans first.”
Background on TPS and Somali Nationals
TPS is a federal designation given to individuals from countries experiencing war, environmental disaster, or other unsafe conditions, allowing them to live and work legally in the U.S. Somali nationals have been protected under TPS since 1991 due to civil war and ongoing instability in the country.
Currently, 2,471 Somali nationals hold TPS, and an additional 1,383 have pending TPS applications, according to ABC News sources. Minnesota hosts the largest Somali-American population in the country, with over 115,000 foreign-born residents, 80% of whom are naturalized U.S. citizens.
Despite Noem’s statement, the U.S. State Department continues to maintain a travel advisory warning against travel to Somalia due to “crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health, kidnapping, piracy,” and other risks.
Controversy and Political Response
The announcement comes after President Donald Trump repeatedly criticized Somali immigrants in public remarks, describing them as “garbage” and questioning their contributions to the United States. In a recent Cabinet meeting and campaign appearances, Trump highlighted alleged Somali involvement in criminal activity and piracy.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz condemned the remarks, stating, “We’ve got little children going to school today, who their president called them ‘garbage.’” Local Somali-American communities have expressed fear and concern over the TPS termination, citing the ongoing instability in Somalia.
Legal Challenges
Revocations of TPS under the Trump administration have faced legal challenges in the past. Courts have examined whether decisions were influenced by racial or national animus, citing statements from President Trump and DHS officials. Advocates for Somali nationals have indicated that they may pursue litigation to block the March deadline.
Broader Context
The Somali TPS revocation follows similar actions affecting Venezuelan nationals and other immigrant groups. TPS terminations often generate political and humanitarian debate, balancing claims of improved country conditions against risks to individuals who have built lives in the U.S. under protected status.