DHS Ends Temporary Protected Status for 64,000 Hondurans, Nicaraguans

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under the Trump administration announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 72,000 Hondurans and 4,000 Nicaraguans, effective September 3, ending protections that have lasted over two decades since Hurricane Mitch in 1998. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem cited improved conditions in both countries as justification, stating TPS was always intended as a temporary measure, and announced support for returning migrants including plane tickets and $1,000 resettlement bonuses. Immigrant advocacy groups have criticized the decision as legally questionable and morally indefensible, filing lawsuits alleging DHS violated the Administrative Procedure Act by ending TPS without proper review of current conditions, especially given ongoing political and human rights concerns in Nicaragua. The termination signals a shift toward stricter immigration enforcement consistent with the Trump administration’s platform prioritizing removal over humanitarian protections. While DHS emphasizes the safety of returning migrants and government assistance in their home countries, critics warn that the move exposes tens of thousands to deportation amid scarce alternative legal options. This marks a significant rollback of a program previously extended by multiple administrations and courts for humanitarian reasons.