Trump Administration to End Protection for Somalis

According to recent reporting, the Trump Administration intends to end the Temporary Protected Status for Somalis. This change could have immediate repercussions for any immigrant in the U.S. Although not the largest immigrant community in Florida, Somalis are nonetheless found in many states, and some have come to Florida.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, any Somali immigrant affected by the change will need to leave the United States by a March 17, 2026 deadline. On that date, existing protections under the TPS program will expire, and you can no longer use TPS status as a defense to deportation.

Contact Empowerment Legal, PPLC, if you have questions about how this recent change will impact you. You might have legal options to stay in the U.S., but you should meet with an experienced immigration lawyer.

What is Temporary Protected Status?

Congress set up the Temporary Protect Status program in 1990 to help those leaving unstable home countries for the U.S. Many people who have claimed TPS status over the ensuing decades left countries beset by civil war or natural disasters.

The Secretary of Homeland Security can designate countries for TPS status when conditions in those countries prevent nationals from returning safely. A non-citizen from a designated country can apply to USCIS for TPS status.

Once approved, a non-citizen is protected from deportation and detention; they can also work in the United States legally. However, TPS status does not provide a pathway to a green card or citizenship. As the name suggests, the TPS program is designed to be temporary.

Nonetheless, Presidents routinely extend TPS status for a country if conditions have not improved—and that is what has happened with Somalia. In 1991, President George H.W. Bush first designated Somalia, and the designation has been extended repeatedly since then, most recently in July 2024.

As of 2026, more than a dozen countries have TPS designations, including Venezuela and Haiti. The Trump Administration’s decision not to extend Somalia’s designation in 2026 is perhaps a clue of what is to come regarding other countries.

Other Options

Although the President is not renewing Somalia’s TPS designation, any Somali facing deportation should consider their options. For example, you might claim asylum if you fear for your safety back in Somalia.

This is a difficult time for many immigrant communities, with enforcement being stepped up and laws changing by the week. We encourage you to reach out to an established law firm to review all options.

Schedule a Consultation Today

At Empowerment Legal, we can help anyone with TPS issues. The Trump Administration is currently in federal court defending its decision to not renew TPS status for Haiti and Venezuela. If the administration is successful, more than 1 million people could be forced to leave the U.S. and face deportation.

Our firm is standing by ready to answer your questions and identify whether you can stay in the U.S. some other way. Contact us to schedule a consultation with our Jacksonville deportation and removal lawyer.

Sources:

msn.com/en-us/news/us/trump-is-ending-protected-immigration-status-for-somalis-long-a-target-of-his-anti-immigrant-barbs/ar-AA1U8BHw?ocid=BingNewsSerp

uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status