The Trump administration has officially ended the Temporary Protected Status (T.P.S.) for approximately 76,000 Hondurans and Nicaraguans, sparking debate over its implications for long-term residents and their communities.
Trump Administration Revokes Deportation Protections for Hondurans and Nicaraguans
Trump Administration Revokes Deportation Protections for Hondurans and Nicaraguans
The decision to end Temporary Protected Status impacts thousands, raising concerns among immigration advocates.
The Trump administration announced on July 7, 2025, that it would terminate protections for migrants from Honduras and Nicaragua under the Temporary Protected Status (T.P.S.) program, which has shielded them from deportation since 1999. This decision, effective in approximately two months, marks a continuation of the administration's trend to curtail immigration benefits for several groups of migrants. The Department of Homeland Security estimates that around 72,000 Hondurans and 4,000 Nicaraguans are currently benefiting from T.P.S., despite around 21,000 Hondurans and 1,100 Nicaraguans obtaining permanent residency through green cards.
The T.P.S. program was created to offer protections to individuals from countries experiencing significant hardships, such as natural disasters or armed conflicts. The recent statement from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem asserted that Honduras has improved significantly since it was devastated by Hurricane Mitch in 1998. “Temporary Protected Status was designed to be just that — temporary," she affirmed, citing Honduras's recovery progress.
The Trump administration has moved to end T.P.S. designations for various countries, including Haiti, Venezuela, and Afghanistan, drawing criticism from immigrant advocacy groups. These groups fear that ending these protections could jeopardize tens of thousands of individuals who have established their lives and livelihoods in the U.S. “This move will push thousands back into uncertain situations, affecting not just those directly impacted but also the communities reliant on their contributions,” said Robyn Barnard, a senior director at Human Rights First.
Legal battles over the T.P.S. program have become common, as federal courts have blocked the administration from ending protections for Haitians and Venezuelans. As the situation unfolds, many advocates continue to grapple with the ramifications of this policy change for affected immigrant communities.
The T.P.S. program was created to offer protections to individuals from countries experiencing significant hardships, such as natural disasters or armed conflicts. The recent statement from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem asserted that Honduras has improved significantly since it was devastated by Hurricane Mitch in 1998. “Temporary Protected Status was designed to be just that — temporary," she affirmed, citing Honduras's recovery progress.
The Trump administration has moved to end T.P.S. designations for various countries, including Haiti, Venezuela, and Afghanistan, drawing criticism from immigrant advocacy groups. These groups fear that ending these protections could jeopardize tens of thousands of individuals who have established their lives and livelihoods in the U.S. “This move will push thousands back into uncertain situations, affecting not just those directly impacted but also the communities reliant on their contributions,” said Robyn Barnard, a senior director at Human Rights First.
Legal battles over the T.P.S. program have become common, as federal courts have blocked the administration from ending protections for Haitians and Venezuelans. As the situation unfolds, many advocates continue to grapple with the ramifications of this policy change for affected immigrant communities.
