The US government is considering whether to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali nationals, a decision that could affect members of one of America’s most established African communities.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on Sunday that the federal government plans to reassess TPS for Somalia, describing the programme as a temporary measure that has been in place for more than 30 years. According to her, TPS was designed to respond to major crises for a limited period, not to function as a long-term asylum pathway.
Her comments come just days after President Donald Trump declared that he would “immediately” revoke TPS protections for Somalis living in Minnesota. His announcement ignited widespread fear within Minnesota’s Somali community — the largest in the United States — and raised legal questions about whether the White House has the authority to implement such a targeted directive.
Advocates and immigration experts swiftly pushed back, saying the president cannot single out one group or one state for punitive action. They argued that the move was driven more by political rhetoric than policy, warning that it could fuel hostility toward Somali and Muslim residents at a time when Islamophobia is rising.
Although the rhetoric has created panic, the number of Somalis currently covered by TPS is very small — just over 700 nationwide. Most Somali Americans are either naturalized citizens or hold other forms of legal status. Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar emphasized this point, noting that the majority of Somali residents in the US would not be affected.
Still, community leaders say the danger lies beyond legal paperwork. They worry the announcement could embolden discrimination, especially after Trump claimed — without evidence — that Somali gangs were targeting Minnesota residents. Minnesota’s governor dismissed the allegations and pointed out that the state consistently ranks among the safest in the country.
The debate over Somalia’s TPS designation is part of a wider shift toward tougher immigration policies. The administration has already moved to roll back protections for Venezuelans, Haitians, Cubans, Syrians, and other groups previously allowed to live and work legally in the US.
Somalia’s TPS status remains valid until March 2026, meaning any decision to revoke it must be announced at least 60 days in advance. That gives the administration until mid-January to determine whether the designation will continue nationwide.
For now, Somali families in Minnesota and beyond are left waiting — and hoping — as political tensions rise around their future in the country many now call home.