Duke Bus Driver Faces Deportation as Honduran TPS Expires Sept. 8, 2025

A longtime Duke University bus driver from Honduras faces the loss of his work authorization and protection from deportation next month after the federal government’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status for Honduran nationals, a shift affirmed by a federal appeals court earlier this year. Luis Alonso Juarez Hernández, who has driven Duke shuttles for nearly two decades and is known on campus for his upbeat “party bus” rides, will see his TPS expire on September 8, 2025, placing him among thousands of Hondurans who could be forced to leave their jobs and the country.

Juarez has lived in the United States since the 1990s. He received TPS in 1998, a program that let him live and work legally even though he entered without inspection. TPS was designed as a temporary shield for people from countries hit by war or disasters. Over time, many beneficiaries built their lives in the U.S., raised families, and took on essential jobs. Juarez’s story mirrors that arc: steady work at Duke University, deep ties to the campus community, and public support from students and staff who ride his route daily.

The change follows a move by the administration of President Trump earlier in 2025 to revoke TPS renewals for Honduras and several other Central American countries. The policy was upheld by a federal appeals court, clearing the way for terminations to proceed. Tricia McLaughlin, an assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, said TPS was never meant to act as a stand-in for asylum, framing the decision within a broader push for stricter immigration enforcement. Advocates warn that ending TPS without replacement protections risks uprooting workers who have kept clean records and contributed to their local communities for decades.

Juarez is pressing for relief. He plans to meet September 4, 2025 with U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R‑N.C.) and North Carolina state leaders to seek help. Siembra NC, a grassroots immigrant rights group, is backing him with public awareness efforts and solidarity rides on his bus. Supporters say his case shows what the termination means in human terms: a neighbor, co-worker, or friend who could lose status overnight.

Campus response has been mixed. Organizers say Duke officials discouraged a planned press event in support of Juarez and warned of possible discipline if it took place on university grounds, so the gathering was moved off-campus. At the same time, Duke University has been offering resources to international students and employees affected by changing rules, including legal counseling and mental health support, while noting the school does not control federal immigration decisions.

The university’s Visa Services office is urging community members to keep up with policy changes and to meet with advisors for tailored guidance.

Policy and legal backdrop

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a limited, humanitarian program the government may offer to nationals of countries facing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or other extraordinary conditions. For Honduras, TPS dates back to the late 1990s. While the program has been extended many times, it is still temporary by design.

The current administration in Washington, which took office in January 2025, has focused on enforcement and narrower use of humanitarian protections, making new relief for TPS holders less likely. As of late August, no new federal law has been enacted to extend or replace TPS for Honduran nationals.

The Department of Homeland Security oversees TPS, and federal courts have reviewed the administration’s authority to end it. Earlier this year, a federal appeals court upheld the government’s move to terminate TPS renewals for Honduras, paving the way for expiration dates to take effect. Workers like Juarez, who have relied on the status for legal employment, face a hard stop unless Congress or the administration changes course.

For official program information, DHS directs the public to USCIS. The agency’s page on TPS for Hondurans explains the program’s purpose, known conditions, and government notices. Readers can review current DHS guidance at the USCIS TPS page for Honduras.

Community response and next steps

Support across Durham has grown in recent weeks. Students, faculty, and staff describe Juarez as a constant, friendly presence who learned riders’ names and kept buses lively during long days. Siembra NC has used those personal stories to highlight the abrupt impact that comes with the loss of TPS. Organizers are encouraging calls to elected officials and continued attendance on Juarez’s routes to show support before his status ends.

Practical options are limited:

• Because Juarez entered the U.S. without inspection and is not married to a U.S. citizen, he does not qualify for a straightforward path to permanent residency under current law.
• Immigration attorneys advise people in similar situations to get legal assessments quickly.
• Possible avenues (each complex and uncertain) include:
  • Asylum (time-bound and fact-specific)
  • Employer sponsorship for a green card (varies by employer and case)
  • Other forms of discretionary relief in narrow circumstances

Employers, including major universities, can sometimes help workers seek sponsorship or permanent residency, though use of those routes varies and depends on individual facts.

Duke officials say they are supporting international students and employees more broadly through advising and wellness services. Duke Visa Services continues to remind community members to stay informed and to consult university advisors for case-specific guidance. The Duke International Student Center offers additional support, and the campus Duke on Call line at 919‑684‑2444 remains available for university-related help.

Advocates and legal experts are calling for policy fixes. They argue that long-term TPS holders, many of whom have been in the country for decades, should have a legislative way to seek permanent status. As of August 27, 2025, however, there is no new federal law to extend TPS for Honduras. The near-term focus has shifted to individual cases, like Juarez’s, and to meetings with policymakers who could urge administrative discretion.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, immigration-focused outlets continue to track how changes to TPS affect long-settled communities and local workforces. For Duke University and other large employers, the loss of TPS employees may bring staffing strains alongside the human impact on families with deep local roots.

Key dates, contacts, and resources

• September 4, 2025: Juarez plans to meet with U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R‑N.C.) and state leaders.
• September 8, 2025: TPS for Juarez is set to expire. (Important deadline)
• Official guidance: USCIS TPS page for Honduras
• Campus support:
  • Duke Visa Services
  • Duke International Student Center
  • Duke on Call: 919‑684‑2444

The legal path is narrow and time-sensitive. The appeals court ruling stands, and DHS maintains TPS was never meant to be permanent. The 2025 federal posture remains focused on enforcement, making quick relief for Honduran TPS holders unlikely.

Still, Juarez’s supporters believe direct engagement with elected officials can matter. They point to the role of congressional offices in raising individual cases with federal agencies and in shaping the debate over humanitarian programs. Even without a guaranteed outcome, they argue, public attention can slow removals and open doors to case reviews.

For Juarez, the week ahead is about urgency and visibility. His plan to meet with Senator Budd underscores how personal this fight has become for one Duke University employee — and for many others from Honduras who built their lives in the U.S. under the promise, always temporary, of TPS.