What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a designation provided by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to certain individuals who are already in the U.S. and come from countries that are facing conditions or circumstances that prevent their safe return. These conditions could include ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, an epidemic, or extraordinary and temporary conditions such as unstable political or economic circumstances. As of March 31, 2024, approximately 863,880 people are living in the U.S. under TPS.
Eligibility: TPS is granted to eligible nationals of a designated country (or those without nationality who last lived in a designated country). Applicants must meet certain requirements and cannot have a criminal record or be considered a security threat.
As of December 2024, the following 16 countries were designated for TPS, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services:
Afghanistan (Extended until May 20, 2025)
Burma (Valid through November 25, 2025)
Cameroon (Extended until June 7, 2025)
El Salvador (Extended until March 9, 2025)
Ethiopia (Valid through December 12, 2025)
Haiti (Extended through February 3, 2026)
Honduras (Extended until July 5, 2025)
Nepal (Extended until June 24, 2025)
Nicaragua (Extended until July 5, 2025)
Somalia (Extended until March 17, 2026)
South Sudan (Extended until May 3, 2025)
Sudan (Extended until April 19, 2025)
Syria (Extended until September 30, 2025)
Ukraine (Extended until April 19, 2025)
Venezuela (Extended until April 2, 2025)
Yemen (Extended until March 3, 2026)
Why is it important?
Most TPS recipients have been in the U.S. for decades and are vital members of our communities. TPS has helped people build lives in the U.S., earn money to support themselves and their families, and contribute to their communities and the economy. Many TPS holders are employed in key essential industries including health care, food industries, transportation, delivery, and warehousing.
Benefits of TPS:
Protection from deportation while TPS is in effect.
Authorization to work in the U.S. with an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
Eligibility to apply for travel authorization.
Limitations of TPS:
TPS does not lead directly to permanent resident status (green card) or citizenship.
When the TPS designation ends, beneficiaries revert to their prior immigration status (if any).
The DHS Secretary determines TPS designations based on country conditions. The designation is reviewed periodically and can be extended or terminated depending on whether the conditions persist.
What is at stake under the second Trump administration?
President-elect Trump has indicated plans to restrict or end TPS for many recipients. His administration's past actions included attempts to terminate TPS for several countries, citing improved conditions. For 2025, Trump’s immigration agenda includes sweeping measures targeting both legal and illegal immigration, potentially affecting TPS protections. Critics warn this could lead to mass deportations, family separations, and instability for thousands of individuals who have lived and worked in the U.S. for decades under TPS.
Ending TPS would have serious consequences for affected individuals, their families, and the broader community.
Risk to safety and lives. TPS holders would be forced to return to countries still grappling with violence, instability, or disasters, putting their lives and well-being at risk. Many TPS-designated countries lack the infrastructure to reintegrate large numbers of returnees, exacerbating crises in those regions.
Family separation. Many TPS holders have U.S.-born children and other family members with legal status. Ending TPS could lead to heartbreaking separations or force entire families into unsafe conditions abroad.
Economic impact. TPS holders contribute significantly to the U.S. economy in sectors like healthcare, construction, and agriculture. Their removal could cause labor shortages and economic strain. Deporting TPS holders would disrupt their families' livelihoods, including their ability to pay mortgages, rents, and taxes.
Community disruption. Many TPS holders have lived in the U.S. for many years and are deeply embedded in their communities. They are neighbors, colleagues, and friends, and their forced removal would create voids in social and professional networks. Without legal status, former TPS holders could face exploitation, abuse, and challenges accessing basic resources.
Global repercussions. Large-scale deportations could overwhelm countries already struggling to recover from crises, leading to further instability and migration. Ending TPS could harm the U.S.'s reputation as a leader in humanitarian protection.
Psychological and emotional toll. The uncertainty and fear of deportation would cause immense stress and anxiety for TPS holders and their families, impacting mental health and well-being.
Call to Action:
Now is the time to stand up for the individuals and families who rely on Temporary Protected Status (TPS). TPS is more than just a program—it’s a lifeline that safeguards people fleeing war, natural disasters, and humanitarian crises, allowing them to rebuild their lives, contribute to our communities, and stay united with their families.
We must act to ensure that TPS protections are not unjustly terminated, leaving thousands vulnerable to unsafe conditions and family separation. Contact President Trump and ask him to preserve TPS.