US Ends Temporary Protection for 4 African Countries as Deportation Fears Rise

The United States government has ended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of four African countries, raising concerns among thousands of immigrants who rely on the programme to live and work legally in the country.

The affected countries are Cameroon, Ethiopia, Somalia and South Sudan, whose nationals could lose their temporary protection if they do not have another valid immigration status.

TPS is a humanitarian immigration programme that allows eligible citizens of designated countries to remain temporarily in the United States when returning home may be unsafe because of armed conflict, natural disasters or other extraordinary circumstances.

The programme, however, does not grant permanent residency or provide a direct route to US citizenship.

Four African countries affected by TPS changes

The latest policy changes affect nationals of:

• Cameroon
• Ethiopia
• Somalia
• South Sudan

The termination forms part of a wider effort by the Trump administration to reduce the number of people benefiting from Temporary Protected Status.

For affected immigrants who have no alternative legal status, the end of TPS could result in the loss of their protection from removal and their employment authorisation.

However, the termination of TPS does not automatically mean that every beneficiary will be deported.

Some individuals may still be able to remain legally in the United States if they have another valid immigration status, a pending application or qualify for another form of humanitarian protection.

What happens when TPS protection ends?

Temporary Protected Status provides beneficiaries with protection from deportation while the designation remains in effect. It also allows eligible recipients to obtain employment authorisation.

Once a country’s TPS designation is terminated, affected individuals may need to establish another legal basis for remaining in the United States.

Those who already have another lawful immigration status may not be directly affected in the same way as people whose only protection comes from TPS.

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Immigration experts generally advise affected individuals to review their personal circumstances and determine whether they qualify for another immigration pathway before their TPS protections expire.

US continues broader TPS rollback

The latest decisions are part of a broader rollback of TPS designations that have protected foreign nationals from countries experiencing serious humanitarian or security challenges.

Some countries have remained under TPS protection for years because the circumstances that originally led to their designation continued or because conditions remained unsuitable for safe return.

Somalia, for example, was first designated for TPS in 1991 following the collapse of the country’s government institutions and prolonged instability.

South Sudan has also benefited from TPS because of continuing conflict and humanitarian difficulties, while Ethiopia’s designation was linked to severe humanitarian conditions and instability.

Growing uncertainty for African immigrants

The latest terminations are expected to create uncertainty for affected African immigrants, particularly those who depend on TPS to work legally in the United States.

People whose TPS status is ending may need to explore other immigration options, including applications for a different lawful status or another form of protection where eligible.

For individuals without an alternative legal basis to remain in the US, the loss of TPS could eventually expose them to immigration enforcement and removal proceedings.

The policy changes therefore highlight the importance of understanding the specific expiration dates and legal options available to each TPS beneficiary.

Note: Immigration rules and individual circumstances can vary. Affected individuals should seek advice from a qualified US immigration attorney or accredited immigration representative before making decisions about their status.

Countries affected by wider US TPS changes

The broader list of countries affected by TPS policy changes has included Haiti, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Cameroon, Nepal, Honduras, Nicaragua, Venezuela, South Sudan, Myanmar, Somalia and Ethiopia, among others.

The status of individual countries can change as the US government issues new notices, extensions or termination decisions.