Nicaraguan migrants in the United States 🇺🇸 are facing a new wave of fear and uncertainty as President Trump’s administration moves forward with mass deportations and the end of key legal protections. These changes, which began in early 2025, leave thousands at risk of being sent back to Nicaragua 🇳🇮, where the Ortega regime is known for harsh repression and targeting returnees as political threats.
On July 7, 2025, the Trump administration officially cancelled Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 76,000 Hondurans and Nicaraguans, ending more than 25 years of deportation protection. TPS for these groups expired over the weekend of July 5-6, making them deportable within 60 days. In addition, the administration ended the humanitarian parole program (CHNV) for nationals from Cuba 🇨🇺, Haiti 🇭🇹, Nicaragua 🇳🇮, and Venezuela 🇻🇪 on March 25, 2025. Nearly 95,000 Nicaraguans who entered under this program now find themselves in legal limbo.
Deportation flights have increased sharply in 2025. In the first half of the year, more than 2,000 Nicaraguan migrants were deported on 19 flights from the United States 🇺🇸, with half routed through Guantánamo Bay and received in secret by the Ortega regime in Managua. The first deportation flight under President Trump’s second term landed on February 12, 2025. Despite public anti-U.S. statements, the Ortega regime has consistently accepted deported Nicaraguans, unlike Cuba 🇨🇺 and Venezuela 🇻🇪, which often resist such cooperation.
A temporary reprieve came on July 31, 2025, when a federal judge in California blocked the termination of TPS for immigrants from Honduras, Nepal 🇳🇵, and Nicaragua 🇳🇮. This decision postponed the loss of legal status and deportation protections for over 60,000 people until at least November 18, 2025, pending further hearings. However, this relief could be overturned by higher courts at any time. A similar court order on March 31, 2025, temporarily blocked the end of TPS for Venezuelans.
The numbers show the scale of the crisis:
- 72,000 Hondurans and 4,000 Nicaraguans held TPS as of July 2025.
- Nearly 95,000 Nicaraguans entered the U.S. under the now-revoked CHNV parole program.
- 126,766 Nicaraguans are currently at risk of deportation due to outstanding removal orders.
- Since 2014, Nicaragua 🇳🇮 has received 18,660 deported nationals from the United States 🇺🇸.
President Trump’s administration, following a new fiscal law passed on July 4, 2025, allocated $45 billion for detention, deportation, border security, and wall construction, aiming for up to one million deportations in 2025. Experts believe the actual number will be closer to half a million due to logistical and legal limits.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem defended the TPS termination, saying the status “was never meant to last 25 years” and arguing it is now safe for Nicaraguans to return. President Trump has made migration a central issue, declaring a national emergency at the border and calling migration an “invasion.”
On the other side, the Ortega regime in Nicaragua 🇳🇮, despite its anti-U.S. rhetoric, has quietly cooperated with U.S. deportation efforts. Many deported Nicaraguans are treated as political threats, facing risks such as arbitrary detention or disappearance. Claudio Acevedo, a Miami-based advocate, warns, “Deported Nicaraguans face real dangers, including imprisonment and even disappearance upon return.”
Immigration advocates and experts, such as Angélica Salas from the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), stress that the legal status of former parolees is “highly vulnerable” and could become irregular at any moment. Faith leaders and experts describe the policy as showing “no discernment” and causing “fear compounding fear” among Nicaraguan migrants.
For many, the loss of legal status means the immediate risk of deportation and loss of work authorization. Many Nicaraguan migrants have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for decades, own homes, and have U.S.-born children. Some have managed to obtain green cards or other legal residency—over 20,000 Hondurans and 1,100 Nicaraguans—shielding them from deportation. However, the majority now face a difficult and uncertain future.
The fear is real and growing. Many migrants are changing addresses and avoiding contact with authorities to evade detention and deportation. Employers, especially small businesses, may not be aware of the status changes, leading to confusion about work eligibility. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this confusion can result in job loss and financial hardship for families who have built their lives in the United States 🇺🇸.
| Impact Type | Affected Population | Description | Deported Population | Allocated Amount | Target Deportations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TPS Cancellation Impact | 76,000 | Nicaraguans and Hondurans affected by TPS cancellation | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Deportation Flights | N/A | Nicaraguan migrants deported in first half of 2025 | 2,000 | N/A | N/A |
| Deportation Budget | N/A | Allocated for detention, deportation, border security, and wall construction | N/A | $45 billion | N/A |
| Projected Deportations | N/A | Target for deportations in 2025, with experts estimating closer to 500,000 | N/A | N/A | 1 million |
Deportation flights are coordinated between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Nicaraguan government, often conducted in secrecy. Migrants losing TPS or parole status become subject to removal proceedings. Legal challenges can temporarily halt deportations, but these are always at risk of being reversed by higher courts.
Some Nicaraguan migrants may try to apply for asylum or other forms of relief. However, President Trump’s executive order on January 22, 2025, halted all ongoing immigration processes for those affected, including asylum, family-based petitions, and work or student visas. This leaves many with no clear path to stay legally in the United States 🇺🇸.
TPS for Nicaraguans and Hondurans was first granted after Hurricane Mitch in 1998 and extended many times due to ongoing instability. The CHNV parole program was introduced by President Biden in 2023 to provide a legal pathway and reduce irregular migration, but was terminated by President Trump in 2025.
President Trump halts all ongoing immigration processes for affected individuals.
Humanitarian parole program (CHNV) for certain nationals is terminated.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Hondurans and Nicaraguans expires.
Trump administration officially cancels TPS for 76,000 Hondurans and Nicaraguans.
Federal judge blocks termination of TPS for immigrants from Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua.
Next major court hearing scheduled regarding TPS.
The Ortega regime has a long record of repression, closing over 5,600 NGOs and 60 media outlets, and targeting perceived political opponents, including deportees. This makes returning to Nicaragua 🇳🇮 especially dangerous for those who fled political persecution.
Looking ahead, the fate of TPS and CHNV parole holders remains uncertain, with the next major court hearing scheduled for November 18, 2025. The Trump administration is expected to continue aggressive deportation efforts, but legal and logistical barriers may limit the scale. If the Supreme Court upholds the administration’s actions, hundreds of thousands could lose protection and face removal. The United States 🇺🇸 may also pressure Latin American governments to accept more deportees and expand penalties for non-compliance.
For those affected, it is important to stay informed and seek legal advice. Official resources such as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provide up-to-date information on immigration status, forms, and legal options.
In summary, Nicaraguan migrants in the United States 🇺🇸 are caught between strict U.S. enforcement under President Trump and the threat of repression by the Ortega regime in Nicaragua 🇳🇮. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing legal battles and changing policies. Staying informed and seeking help from trusted organizations is essential for those facing these challenges.
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