A Somali family is following Trump's remarks about Somalis.
US ends temporary protected status for Somali nationals
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- US ends temporary protected status for thousands of Somali nationals, giving them until March 17 to leave.
- Decision affects Somali communities nationwide, including US-born citizens of Somali descent.
The Trump administration has announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for thousands of Somali nationals in the US, requiring them to leave the country by March 17, according to Fox News Tuesday.
The move follows months of critical remarks by President Donald Trump about Somali communities in the US, particularly in Minnesota, home to a large population of Somali Americans. In November, Trump vowed to immediately end TPS for Somali residents in Minnesota, claiming the state had become “a hub for fraudulent money-laundering activities,” citing unverified media reports.
Administration cites improved conditions
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement to Reuters that “conditions in Somalia have improved to the point that they no longer meet the requirements for Temporary Protected Status under US law.”
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Fox News reported that the policy change will apply to Somali nationals across the US. According to US Citizenship and Immigration Services sources, 2,471 Somali citizens currently benefit from TPS, with an additional 1,383 pending applications.
Congressional Research Service data for 2025 indicates that 705 Somali-born individuals in the US hold TPS, ensuring legal residence and work authorization until the policy termination.
The decision has sparked concern among Somali-American communities, who fear deportation despite many being long-term US residents or US-born citizens.
