The Trump administration has announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ethiopian nationals, ending a program that allowed eligible individuals to live and work in the United States without fear of deportation. The decision, released by the Department of Homeland Security on Friday, follows a review of conditions in Ethiopia and is set to take effect in early 2026.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem explained that, after reviewing conditions in Ethiopia, the country “no longer continues to meet the conditions for the designation for Temporary Protected Status,” adding that the circumstances that prompted the original designation no longer pose a serious threat to returning nationals.
TPS is available to nationals of countries facing conflict, disasters, or other extraordinary conditions, providing temporary work authorization and protection from deportation. A USCIS spokesperson emphasized that the program is time-limited and does not lead to permanent residency.
Under the termination plan, Ethiopian nationals without another lawful basis to remain in the United States will have 60 days to voluntarily depart. DHS encouraged affected individuals to report their departure through the CBP Home mobile application, which the agency described as a secure option for self-deportation. After February 13, 2026, DHS may arrest and remove Ethiopian nationals who remain in the country without legal status.
