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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 72,000 Hondurans and 4,000 Nicaraguans, effective September 6, 2025, according to official notices posted on Monday.
This aligns with President Donald Trump’s initiative to reduce legal protections for certain migrant groups. TPS offers deportation relief and work permits to individuals from countries facing natural disasters, armed conflicts, or extraordinary conditions, allowing them to live and work legally in the U.S.
The TPS designations for Honduras and Nicaragua, established after Hurricane Mitch killed at least 10,000 people in Central America in 1998, will end. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem cited significant recovery in both nations, noting increased tourism, real estate investment in Honduras, and growth in Nicaragua’s renewable energy sector as evidence of improved conditions.
“Temporary Protected Status was designed to be just that—temporary,” Noem remarked when speaking about TPS Hondurans. “It is clear that the Government of Honduras has taken all of the necessary steps to overcome the impacts of Hurricane Mitch, almost 27 years ago. Honduran citizens can safely return home, and DHS is here to help facilitate their voluntary return. Honduras has been a wonderful partner of the Trump Administration, helping us deliver on key promises to the American people. We look forward to continuing our work with them.”
Upon announcement of ending TPS for Nicaraguans, a DHS spokesperson stated, “Temporary Protected Status was never meant to last a quarter of a century,” said a DHS spokesperson. “The impacts of a natural disaster impacting Nicaragua in 1999 no longer exist. The environmental situation has improved enough that it is safe enough for Nicaraguan citizens to return home. This decision restores integrity in our immigration system and ensures that TPS remains temporary.”
During Trump’s 2017-2021 term, attempts to end TPS for Honduras, Nicaragua, and other countries were blocked by federal courts. The administration has also focused efforts on terminating TPS for 348,000 Venezuelans, 521,000 Haitians, and smaller groups from Afghanistan and Cameroon.
In May, the Supreme Court allowed the termination of TPS for Venezuelans. However, a New York federal judge, Brian Cogan, recently halted the termination of Haitians. Cogan ruled that Noem’s attempt to advance the termination date to August was unlawful.
Following the ruling, DHS altered its plan to formally end TPS for Haitians in September. In a press release, DHS stated, “This decision restores integrity in our immigration system and ensures that Temporary Protective Status is actually temporary.”
The agency noted Haiti’s improved environmental conditions since its TPS designation after a major earthquake, encouraging affected individuals to explore other immigration pathways or use DHS resources for return. However, the State Department maintains a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” advisory for Haiti due to ongoing crime, kidnapping, and civil unrest, highlighting persistent challenges.