U.S. to terminate temporary protected status for Yemenis, citing national interest

• U.S. terminates humanitarian protection for Yemeni migrants
• Ordering departure within 60 days as part of a broader rollback of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Friday that it will terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Yemeni nationals, a move that signals the Trump administration’s continued push to wind down humanitarian programs it deems "contrary to the national interest."

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem confirmed the decision following a review of country conditions in Yemen, which has been designated for the program since 2015 due to ongoing armed conflict and humanitarian crises.

"TPS was designed to be temporary, and this administration is returning the program to its original intent," Noem said in a statement. "After reviewing the conditions on the ground and consulting with relevant agencies, I have determined that Yemen no longer meets the legal requirements for this designation."

The 60-Day Countdown

The termination will officially take effect 60 days after the notice is published in the Federal Register. Once the status expires, an estimated 1,300 to 1,400 Yemeni beneficiaries currently living and working in the U.S. will be required to:

• Apply for an alternative legal immigration status.
• Voluntarily depart the United States.
• Face potential arrest and deportation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

As an incentive for voluntary departure, the administration is encouraging migrants to use the "CBP Home" mobile app. Those who self-deport through the app may be eligible for a $2,600 "exit bonus," a complimentary plane ticket, and the possibility of future legal immigration opportunities.

A Pattern of Revocations

The decision on Yemen follows a string of similar terminations for countries including Venezuela, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, and Somalia. While the administration argues these moves prioritize "America First" national security interests, they have faced significant pushback from human rights groups and the legal system.

Critics point out that the State Department still maintains a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory for Yemen, citing risks of terrorism, civil unrest, and landmines. Despite this, DHS maintained that the "statutory requirements" for TPS, which require a country to be unable to handle the return of its nationals safely, are no longer met.

Legal Hurdles Ahead

The administration’s efforts to end TPS for other nations have recently met with mixed results in the courts. While a federal judge recently blocked the termination of status for Haitians, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals handed the administration a victory earlier this week by reinstating the termination for Nicaragua, Honduras, and Nepal.

Immigration attorneys expect the Yemen decision to face similar legal challenges, which could potentially delay the 60-day departure timeline. For now, Yemeni TPS holders have been advised to monitor the Federal Register for the official publication date, which will start the clock on their legal status.