End of Temporary Protected Status for Somalia Announced

The Trump administration disclosed on Tuesday that it will terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalia, impacting thousands of Somalis residing in the United States.

“Temporary means temporary. Conditions in Somalia have improved to the extent that they no longer meet the criteria of the Temporary Protected Status Act,” stated Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

“Additionally, permitting Somali nationals to live temporarily in the U.S. does not align with our national interests. We prioritize American citizens,” she added.

As reported, there are currently 2,471 Somalis in the U.S. under TPS, with 1,383 of them having pending applications.

There is widespread fraud linked to billions in taxpayer-funded programs affecting Somali communities nationwide, particularly in Minnesota, where about 600 Somalis are granted TPS in the Arctic region.

The U.S. initially provided TPS to Somalia in 1991 due to the ongoing civil war. President Joe Biden had previously extended TPS until September 2024.

In response to the misconduct, the Trump administration plans to send additional personnel to Minneapolis.

Noem characterized the alleged criminal network operating in Minnesota by saying:

This area is at the heart of the theft of taxpayer money and the protection of criminals. We’ve had law enforcement in place for years, increasing our presence as we began to recognize the scale of corruption and theft occurring. Billions meant for helping vulnerable populations have been misappropriated, money that could support the disabled, those facing mental health challenges, children with autism, and assist families in regaining stability. They siphoned funds meant for these individuals to enrich themselves.

Our investigations have revealed this, often facilitated by immigration fraud within Somali groups. These individuals entered the country based on misleading identity records, which contributed to their access to services and refugee programs. President Biden is implicated in this, and as we uncover more instances of criminal activity, we will continue to allocate resources to tackle government funding misuse and restore integrity in immigration processes in Minnesota.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent remarked, “This is an organized criminal operation, and we will uncover the truth.”