The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for migrants from Honduras and Nicaragua, concluding that conditions in both countries no longer require this special designation.
The decision follows similar actions taken by DHS against TPS recipients from Venezuela and Haiti, although those moves are currently tied up in court following a federal judge’s ruling to block the changes.
“Temporary Protected Status was designed to be just that—temporary,” said Secretary Kristi Noem in a public statement. “It is clear that the Government of Honduras has taken all of the necessary steps to overcome the impacts of Hurricane Mitch, almost 27 years ago. Honduran citizens can safely return home, and DHS is here to help facilitate their voluntary return.”
Noem praised Honduras as a “wonderful partner of the Trump Administration,” and said the US looks forward to continued cooperation. She also determined that Nicaragua has similarly recovered from past disasters, with DHS stating that overall conditions in both countries no longer meet the statutory requirements for TPS.
To assist with the transition, DHS is encouraging affected migrants to report their departure using the US Customs and Border Protection’s CBP One app. Those who self-report will be offered a free plane ticket, a $1,000 bonus, and may be eligible for future legal immigration programs.
According to Fox News, the revocation of TPS will affect approximately 76,000 migrants, as there are 72,000 from Honduras and 4,000 from Nicaragua currently residing in the US.
“The impacts of a natural disaster impacting Nicaragua in 1999 no longer exist,” a DHS spokesperson told the outlet. “The environmental situation has improved enough that it is safe enough for Nicaraguan citizens to return home. This decision restores integrity in our immigration system and ensures that TPS remains temporary.”
