The United States has continued its rollback of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of several countries, exposing thousands of African migrants to the loss of protection from deportation and work authorisation.
The latest developments follow a June 2026 US Supreme Court ruling that gave the Trump administration greater authority to terminate TPS designations. The decision has accelerated efforts to end protections that had allowed eligible migrants from countries facing armed conflict, disasters or other extraordinary conditions to remain legally in the United States.
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Four African Countries Affected
The African countries whose TPS protections have been targeted or terminated include:
Somalia — A federal judge on August 14 cleared the way for the Trump administration to terminate TPS for nearly 1,100 Somali nationals. The designation is effective from August 14, 2026.
South Sudan — A federal judge has allowed the administration to proceed with ending TPS for South Sudanese nationals, removing protections that had shielded eligible migrants from deportation and allowed them to work legally.
Ethiopia — The administration’s attempt to terminate TPS for Ethiopians has faced legal challenges. A federal judge previously blocked the move, meaning the status of Ethiopian beneficiaries remains subject to ongoing litigation.
Sudan — Sudan has also been caught up in the broader US reassessment of TPS protections. However, the status of individual beneficiaries depends on the applicable designation, court orders and effective dates.
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TPS does not provide permanent residency or citizenship. It temporarily protects eligible nationals of designated countries from removal and allows them to obtain employment authorisation while the designation remains in force.
The US immigration policy shift has generated concern among immigrant-rights organisations, particularly because many TPS beneficiaries have lived and worked in the United States for years. The broader rollback affects nationals of several countries beyond Africa and could impact more than one million people.
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The situation remains fluid because court challenges continue to determine when and how some TPS terminations can take effect.
