# DHS Ends Somalia's Temporary Protected Status Effective March 17, 2026 > The Department of Homeland Security is terminating Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalia, ending protections that have been in place since 1991. Somali nationals currently holding TPS will lose their protected status and work authorization at 11:59 p.m. on March 17, 2026. Affected individuals should consult an immigration attorney immediately to explore other options for remaining lawfully in the United States. Canonical URL: https://thevisapulse.com/updates/dhs-terminates-somalia-tps-march-2026 ## At a glance - **Policy status:** Status unverified - **Last verified:** Not recorded - **Human review:** No human review recorded - **Published:** 2026-01-14 - **Effective:** 2026-03-17 - **Impact:** high - **Document type:** Notice - **Source agency:** U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services - **Document number:** 2026-00596 - **Visa types:** TPS Publication dates and impact ratings do not establish whether a policy is in force. Verify current status against the linked government evidence. See /about for our editorial process. ## Who is affected - Somali nationals currently holding Temporary Protected Status - Stateless individuals who last habitually resided in Somalia and hold TPS ## Key changes - Somalia's TPS designation is officially terminated, effective 11:59 p.m. on March 17, 2026. - Somali TPS holders will lose their protected status and work authorization (EAD) on March 17, 2026. - DHS determined Somalia no longer meets the legal conditions for TPS based on improved governance and reduced nationwide armed conflict. - DHS concluded that permitting Somali nationals to remain temporarily in the U.S. is contrary to the national interest. - Affected individuals revert to their pre-TPS immigration status, or may become undocumented if they had no other valid status. ## What you should do If you hold TPS under Somalia's designation, consult an immigration attorney immediately to explore alternative immigration options before your status expires on March 17, 2026. ## What Happened On January 14, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officially announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalia. TPS is a humanitarian protection that allows nationals of designated countries to live and work legally in the United States when conditions in their home country — such as armed conflict or environmental disasters — make it unsafe to return. Somalia has held this designation continuously since September 1991, making this termination the end of over 34 years of protection. The termination takes effect at **11:59 p.m. local time on March 17, 2026**. ## Who Is Affected This termination affects: - **Somali nationals currently holding TPS** under Somalia's designation - **Stateless individuals** who last habitually resided in Somalia and hold TPS under Somalia's designation If you fall into one of these categories, your TPS — including your right to remain in the United States and your Employment Authorization Document (EAD, or work permit) — will expire on March 17, 2026. ## Why DHS Is Ending TPS for Somalia The Secretary of Homeland Security is required by law to review country conditions at least 60 days before a TPS designation expires and either extend or terminate the designation. After consulting with relevant U.S. government agencies, the Secretary determined that Somalia no longer meets the legal conditions required to maintain TPS designation. The government's reasoning includes two main findings: 1. **Reduced armed conflict:** DHS cited Somalia's transition from a failed state to a fragile state, the re-establishment of a functioning federal government recognized by the U.S. in 2013, and statements by Somalia's own president in September 2025 describing the country as confronting only "the last remaining pockets of international terrorism" rather than nationwide conflict. 2. **Ability to return in safety:** DHS pointed to regions such as Somaliland and Puntland as areas where Somali nationals can safely reside, and cited economic progress including a construction boom in Mogadishu and IMF-supported macroeconomic reforms. DHS also concluded that permitting Somali nationals to remain temporarily in the United States is contrary to the national interest, citing factors such as foreign policy, national security, and immigration enforcement priorities. *Note: While DHS acknowledged that ongoing challenges remain — including Al-Shabaab terrorist activity affecting 3.4 million food-insecure Somalis — the Secretary determined these conditions do not legally justify continued TPS designation.* ## What Happens to Your Status After March 17, 2026 When TPS ends, affected individuals revert to whatever immigration status they held **before** receiving TPS — as long as that status has not expired. If you obtained another valid immigration status while on TPS (such as a student visa, green card, or other benefit), that status remains valid as long as it has not expired. If you had no other valid immigration status before TPS, you may be undocumented after March 17, 2026, and subject to removal (deportation). **Important:** There is no judicial review of the Secretary's decision to terminate TPS for a country. Legal challenges to the termination itself are not available under the Immigration and Nationality Act. ## What You Should Do Now If you currently hold TPS under Somalia's designation, you have approximately two months before protection ends. Use this time to: - **Consult a qualified immigration attorney** to review your options, which may include applying for another visa category, asylum, or other forms of relief. - **Check whether you qualify for any other immigration status**, such as family-based or employment-based visas. - **Do not let other valid immigration documents expire** — renew any separate visas or authorizations you may hold. - **Stay informed** about any legal challenges or additional government actions that could affect this termination before March 17, 2026. This is a rapidly developing situation. Given the tight timeline, acting quickly is essential. ## Sources - Government source · federalregister.gov: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/14/2026-00596/termination-of-the-designation-of-somalia-for-temporary-protected-status - Source PDF: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-01-14/pdf/2026-00596.pdf --- _The Visa Pulse — Immigration Policy, Explained. Informational coverage of U.S. immigration policy, not legal advice._ - HTML version: https://thevisapulse.com/updates/dhs-terminates-somalia-tps-march-2026 - Markdown version: https://thevisapulse.com/updates/dhs-terminates-somalia-tps-march-2026.md - Agent instructions: https://thevisapulse.com/llms.txt - Sitemap: https://thevisapulse.com/sitemap.xml ## Policy reporting timeline - 2026-01-14: [DHS Ends Somalia TPS — Thousands Lose Protected Status in March](/updates/dhs-terminates-somalia-tps-march-2026) · Government source · federalregister.gov: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/14/2026-00596/termination-of-the-designation-of-somalia-for-temporary-protected-status - 2026-01-14: [DHS Ends Somalia's Temporary Protected Status Effective March 17, 2026](/updates/somalia-tps-termination-march-2026) · Government source · federalregister.gov: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/14/2026-00596/termination-of-the-designation-of-somalia-for-temporary-protected-status