MN (trfnews.i234.me) The Trump administration will end Temporary Protected Status for Somalia, according to federal officials.
The program gives deportation relief and work permits to eligible people already in the United States.
A federal notice says the Somalia TPS designation will end at 11:59 p.m. local time on March 17, 2026.
The notice estimates 1,082 people have current approved TPS under Somalia’s designation.
It also says 1,383 TPS applications were pending as of Dec. 8, 2025.
What the administration said
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said conditions in Somalia have improved.
Noem said Somalia no longer meets the legal standard for TPS.
She also said continuing the status is not in the national interest.
The TPS designation for Somalia has been renewed many times since the early 1990s.
The most recent extension was issued under former President Joe Biden.
Why Somalia is still disputed
Critics say Somalia remains unsafe in many areas.
They point to ongoing violence and attacks by al-Shabaab.
Al-Shabaab is an al-Qaida-linked militant group, according to U.S. counterterror officials.
Learn more about the Somalia TPS termination in the Federal Register notice here:
GovInfo Federal Register Notice (HTML) | GovInfo Federal Register Notice (PDF)
Background on al-Shabaab is available from the National Counterterrorism Center here: NCTC: Al-Shabaab profile
Minnesota focus and public reaction
The decision comes during a wider immigration crackdown linked to Minnesota.
Trump has criticized Somali immigrants in recent remarks.
Tensions have also risen after protests in Minneapolis tied to a federal immigration operation.
One widely reported incident involved the death of Renee Good, a U.S. citizen and mother of three.
More context on Minnesota’s Somali population, using U.S. Census survey data, is here:
CBS News report citing U.S. Census data
Related coverage on the TPS decision is here: Associated Press report
Legal challenges are considered likely, based on prior TPS disputes in federal court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.