On January 13, 2026, the United States announced it will end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali nationals, setting a March 17, 2026 deadline for them to leave the country.
This decision shines a spotlight on Minnesota, home to the US's largest Somali community. In recent weeks, about 2,000 people have been arrested in immigration enforcement raids, and protests broke out after a federal officer fatally shot a local woman. Minnesota officials are seeking a federal judge’s temporary restraining order to stop the operations.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem argued that Somalia’s situation has improved enough to end TPS, despite clashes between government forces and al-Shabaab militants. Around 1,100 people covered by the program will lose legal protection, though lawyers have already announced plans to challenge the move in court.
The policy shift is part of the Trump administration’s tougher stance on immigration, which it says puts American citizens first. Critics say it will tear apart families and destabilize communities that have built lives under TPS.
With just weeks to go, Somali nationals and advocacy groups are racing to find legal pathways and push back in court. 📅⚖️
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
