The U.S. Department of Homeland Security terminated the Temporary Protected Status designation for Somalia, effective at 11:59 p.m. local time on March 17, 2026. The decision, announced by Secretary Kristi Noem on January 13, affects 1,082 current TPS beneficiaries and 1,383 individuals with pending applications as of December 2025.

Noem stated that "Temporary means temporary. Country conditions in Somalia have improved to the point that it no longer meets the law’s requirement for Temporary Protected Status." She added, "Further, allowing Somali nationals to remain temporarily in the United States is contrary to our national interests. We are putting Americans first." DHS determined that Somalia no longer qualifies under the Immigration and Nationality Act due to the absence of ongoing armed conflict posing a serious threat to personal safety and conditions that do not prevent safe return. The agency also cited public safety, national security, immigration integrity, and foreign policy concerns.

Somalia's TPS, first granted in 1991 amid civil war, was most recently extended by the Biden administration through March 17, 2026. The Trump administration reviewed conditions at least 60 days before expiration, as required by law, leading to the termination published in the Federal Register on January 14.

The move has drawn sharp criticism and legal challenges. On March 9, four Somali nationals along with advocacy groups African Communities Together, Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans, and Muslim Advocates filed suit in Boston federal court against DHS. The plaintiffs allege the termination is procedurally flawed and motivated by unconstitutional bias against non-white immigrants, citing President Trump's past remarks about Somalis. "The termination of TPS for Somalia is racism masking as immigration policy," said Omar Farah, executive director at Muslim Advocates. The suit seeks to postpone the March 17 deadline, but no injunction has been reported as of Friday.

Critics, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, argue Somalia remains unstable with al-Shabaab violence, drought, and humanitarian crises. Minnesota, home to a large Somali community, saw condemnations from local officials and cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul, which sued over related enforcement actions.

TPS holders' employment authorization documents with certain expiration dates are automatically extended through March 17. Those without other legal status are advised to depart voluntarily using the CBP Home app, which offers assistance including a plane ticket and exit bonus. After termination, individuals lose work authorization and deportation protection unless they qualify for another status.

The decision aligns with the administration's broader immigration enforcement, including endings for other countries' TPS designations.