US ends temporary protected status for Yemen

• US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the termination of Yemen’s Temporary Protected Status (TPS), stating that conditions have improved enough for safe return and that extending the program is no longer in the US "national interest."
• The termination takes effect in mid-April 2026, giving approximately 2,800 Yemeni nationals 60 days to depart despite a current US State Department "Level 4: Do Not Travel" advisory for Yemen due to persistent terrorism and civil unrest.

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Friday the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Yemen, a designation that has shielded Yemeni nationals in the United States from deportation amid the war in their home country.

Secretary Kristi Noem, leading DHS under the Trump administration, stated that the decision follows a review determining Yemen no longer qualifies under statutory requirements.

The termination will take effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register, likely around mid-April 2026, requiring affected individuals to depart or face potential removal proceedings.

Temporary Protected Status is a humanitarian program established by Congress in 1990, granting temporary immigration relief and work authorization to nationals of countries experiencing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary conditions that prevent safe return.

For Yemen, TPS was first designated in 2015 due to the escalating civil war involving the Houthis, a Saudi-led coalition, and various factions, which has resulted in widespread humanitarian crises.

The program has been periodically extended, with the most recent extension set to expire on March 3, 2026, protecting an estimated 2,800 Yemeni beneficiaries and their families from forced repatriation.

Secretary Noem justified the termination by asserting that conditions in Yemen have sufficiently improved to allow for the safe return of its nationals, emphasizing that TPS is intended as a temporary measure rather than a pathway to permanent residency.

She further noted that continuing the designation contradicts US national interests, aligning with the administration's focus on prioritizing American security and restoring the program's original intent.

However, this assessment contrasts sharply with the US Department of State's current Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory for Yemen, last updated on December 19, 2025, which cites persistent terrorism, civil unrest, crime, health risks, kidnapping threats, and landmines as reasons for the highest warning level.

The advisory highlights ongoing attacks by groups such as Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula and Houthi forces, alongside destroyed infrastructure that has exacerbated shortages in food, water, and medical care.

The decision impacts approximately 2,800 current TPS holders from Yemen, many of whom have built lives in the US, including families with US-born children and contributions to local economies through employment.

An additional 425 individuals with pending applications may also be affected. DHS has encouraged voluntary departure within the 60-day window, offering incentives such as complimentary flights, a $2,600 exit bonus, and streamlined self-reporting via a mobile app to avoid enforcement actions.

Advocacy groups and immigration experts have expressed concern, viewing the move as part of a broader pattern under the Trump administration to curtail humanitarian protections. Similar terminations have been announced for countries like Haiti, Ethiopia, and Syria in recent months, often leading to legal challenges that delay implementation.