Trump targets immigrant protections: What’s Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?

The U.S. Supreme Court recently allowed President Donald Trump's administration to move forward with ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for around 350,000 Venezuelans living in the U.S. Trump has also aimed to end TPS protections for Haitians, Afghans, and others.

What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?
TPS is a program that gives temporary protection from deportation and work permits to individuals already in the U.S. whose home countries are experiencing severe problems like war or natural disasters. The Secretary of Homeland Security grants TPS in periods lasting 6 to 18 months. Two months before the protection expires, the secretary must decide whether to renew, expand, or end it. TPS was created in 1990 in response to the civil war in El Salvador. Although it's intended to be temporary, some TPS designations have been renewed for decades. It does not provide a pathway to U.S. citizenship.

Trump's First Term Approach:
During his first term, Trump tried to end TPS for about 400,000 people from countries like El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, and Sudan as part of a broader effort to limit immigration. However, federal courts blocked these attempts, allowing people to retain their protections throughout his term.

Changes Under Biden:
When President Joe Biden took office in 2021, he expanded TPS to include new countries such as Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Venezuela, and extended protections for Haitians and others. By the end of Biden's term, TPS covered individuals from 17 countries- up from 10 under Trump, with over 600,000 Venezuelans eligible for the program. Just before leaving office, Biden’s administration extended TPS for certain nationalities for another 18 months.

Trump’s Current Actions:
After Trump returned to office, his Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem, reversed the TPS extension for Venezuelans made during Biden’s final days in office. She cited concerns about gang activity and ended TPS for roughly 348,000 Venezuelans in February, meaning they will lose protection and work permits by April. The remaining Venezuelans' TPS will expire in September unless renewed. Noem also canceled TPS for over 521,000 Haitians, setting the expiration for August unless a new extension is issued.

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