After more than 25 years, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is set to end for Honduras and Nicaragua.
TPS and related benefits associated with each country will end on September 8, 2025.
The Trump Administration decided that Honduras and Nicaragua do not meet the eligibility requirements for a TPS designate country, stating that the deadly hurricane which necessitated TPS occurred over 25 years ago. Although the countries may have recovered from the hurricane, the Biden administration had continued TPS for them because of widespread violence, making it difficult to deport people. In the official termination notices, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said TPS for both Honduras and Nicaragua was no longer warranted, arguing that conditions in the two countries had improved significantly and that they could receive their nationals. The DHS Secretary (in this case Noem) must make a decision about TPS renewals or terminations at least 60 days before the TPS designation is set to expire. The Secretary can extend the TPS designation for a six, 12 or 18-month period or decide to cancel the designation. For both Honduras and Nicaragua, the decision was made that TPS will expire on September 8, 2025.
Sadly this decision affects thousands of people, between 50,000-70,000 Hondurans and about 3,000 Nicaraguans. TPS holders will no longer be under immigration protection and will lose their ability to live and work legally in the U.S. unless they secure another status
What happens if I Am a TPS Holder?
Once TPS protection ends, a TPS holder will revert back to his or her previous immigration status. For those without legal status in the U.S., they will return to an undocumented status and potentially be subject to removal proceedings.
If you are a TPS holder under either Nicaragua or Honduras and your employment authorization (EAD) is set to expire before September 8, USCIS has issued an automatic extension for EADs with a category of A-12 or C-19 through September 8, 2025.
We know that this revocation announcement has created a lot of fear, and that is valid. But it is important to know what your rights are, regardless of your immigration status. If you are, or are about to become undocumented, we encourage you to read this Know Your Rights information (available en Español and English).
We also encourage you to book a consultation with our office to see if there are any other avenues available for your immigration pathway.
If you need assistance filing for an extension of TPS or another immigration petition, you can reach us at (757) 422-8472, or send us a message on our website. You can also schedule an appointment with one of our attorneys by clicking on this link.
