(ETHIOPIA) The Trump administration has ended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ethiopian nationals, a move that will strip work permits and deportation protection from more than 4,500 people and set a deportation deadline of February 13, 2026, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the decision on December 12, 2025, saying the government no longer believes Ethiopia meets the legal test for TPS. “Conditions in Ethiopia no longer pose a serious threat to the personal safety of returning Ethiopian nationals,” Noem said, adding that the country’s situation “no longer meets the statutory requirements for a TPS designation.” She said the administration is acting to “restore integrity in our immigration system.”
The termination means Ethiopians who relied on TPS to live and work lawfully in the United States 🇺🇸 now face a fixed window to leave or find another legal path, even as many have built lives, jobs, and families during the program’s run. Under DHS’s announcement, Ethiopian nationals covered by the designation have 60 days to depart voluntarily. After February 13, 2026, DHS said it “may arrest and deport any Ethiopian national without status,” and Noem warned that forced removal could also lead to bars on returning to the United States 🇺🇸 in the future.
What TPS is and how it worked for Ethiopians
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a humanitarian program Congress created to protect people already in the United States when their home country is hit by armed conflict, disaster, or other conditions that make return unsafe for a limited time.
- TPS does not automatically grant a green card.
- It can allow people to obtain work authorization and protection from deportation while the designation lasts.
- Official background on the program is posted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at its TPS page here.
The TPS designation for Ethiopians began under the Biden administration in 2022, when officials pointed to armed conflict and related instability. It was later extended in spring 2024 by then–Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who cited “extraordinary and temporary conditions” that, in that administration’s view, prevented safe return. That extension expired on December 12, 2025, and the Trump administration chose not to renew it.
Immediate impacts on individuals and communities
For Ethiopian nationals who have followed the rules of the program, the change can hit fast. TPS holders often base major life choices on the expectation that protections will continue through the date printed on their approval notices and work permits.
- When a designation ends, a person’s ability to continue working can end immediately unless they qualify for another status.
- Many TPS holders work in health care, logistics, food service, and other industries where employers depend on stable staffing.
- Loss of valid papers can also cause housing problems when landlords request proof of work or income.
Important: Ethiopian nationals covered by the designation have 60 days to depart voluntarily. After February 13, 2026, DHS said it “may arrest and deport any Ethiopian national without status.”
Broader Trump administration immigration changes referenced
The DHS decision comes alongside a set of administration actions since early 2025 that have reshaped refugee and asylum processing. Key measures mentioned include:
- An executive order effective January 27, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. EST that suspended the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) using sections 212(f) and 215(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The order cited risks tied to resources, safety, and assimilation and allowed case-by-case exceptions if the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security find admission to be in the national interest.
- A USCIS memo dated November 21, 2025 directing re-screening of 200,000 refugees admitted from January 2021 to February 2025 (approximately 1/21/21–2/20/25). That memo also halted adjustment of status applications for that group.
- A USCIS policy memo, PM-602-0192, halting all asylum adjudications worldwide, with the pause noted as starting November 28, 2025. The memo also stopped benefits for nationals from 19 “high-risk” countries covered by Presidential Proclamation 10949 (a June 2025 travel ban). The policy called for re-reviews of approvals dating back to January 20, 2021.
- An indefinite refugee ban and a funding halt for resettlement agencies.
- New fees:
- $550 initial employment authorization document fee for TPS, asylum, and parole applicants.
- $100 annual asylum fee.
- Work authorization is generally requested on Form I-765, the USCIS application for an Employment Authorization Document, which is posted by USCIS here.
- A cited detention expansion backed by $45 billion through September 30, 2029.
- Reduced work permit validity periods through Policy Alert PA-2025-27.
Legal and community responses
Immigration lawyers and service organizations say the TPS termination is especially disruptive because it targets people who were already vetted and living openly—paying taxes and working under federal permission.
- Advocates note the policy can undermine stability for families, students, employers, and communities.
- The material provided does not include names of individual Ethiopian TPS holders or personal accounts.
- There are no specific court rulings yet on the Ethiopian TPS termination in the material, leaving uncertainty about potential litigation that could pause or change the policy.
Groups tracking these developments, such as the New York City Bar Association’s Immigration and Nationality Law Committee, view the moves as a test of executive authority and an example of how quickly rules can shift.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the most immediate pressure point for Ethiopian nationals will be the short runway between the TPS end date and the deportation deadline, because many will need time to:
- Seek legal advice
- Collect records
- Determine whether they qualify for another immigration status
Practical considerations and human consequences
For now, the government’s message is blunt: after February 13, 2026, Ethiopians who lose TPS and do not hold another lawful status may be subject to arrest and removal.
- A DHS notice date can determine whether a parent keeps a job, whether a student can continue school, and whether a household that has lived quietly for years faces immediate enforcement actions.
- Employers, landlords, and service providers will need to respond quickly to changes in documentation and legal status among affected individuals.
Key takeaway: The termination of Ethiopian TPS creates a narrow window for affected individuals to find alternate lawful status or depart voluntarily. The human and economic ripple effects could be substantial for the more than 4,500 people covered by the designation.
If you or someone you know is affected, consult a qualified immigration attorney or accredited representative promptly to explore options and deadlines.
On December 12, 2025, DHS terminated Temporary Protected Status for Ethiopians, affecting over 4,500 people. The decision ends work authorization and protection from removal, sets a voluntary departure window of 60 days, and establishes a deportation deadline of February 13, 2026. The change comes amid broader 2025 immigration reforms—refugee suspensions, asylum pauses, fee increases, and detention funding—prompting calls for immediate legal counsel for those seeking alternate statuses or voluntary departure.
