DHS Ends TPS for Hondurans, Nicaraguans After Decades

The Department of Homeland Security will end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for over 70,000 Honduran and Nicaraguan immigrants, removing deportation protections that have been in place since the late 1990s after Hurricane Mitch. The Trump administration contends that conditions in both countries have sufficiently improved for safe returns, and maintains that TPS was intended as a temporary measure. This move is part of a larger effort to restrict humanitarian immigration programs, following similar TPS terminations for nationals from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Haiti, Nepal, and Venezuela. Critics, including Democratic lawmakers and immigrant advocates, argue the decision could force migrants into unsafe conditions, split families, and harm U.S. businesses. While the Biden administration previously expanded TPS for other groups, recent court decisions have allowed the Trump administration to proceed with these terminations. The DHS has indicated readiness to assist with voluntary returns.