 "US President Donald Trump. File Image / Reuters")
The Donald Trump administration on Wednesday announced that the United States will end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for South Sudanese nationals, putting some of the 5,000 South Sudanese residents in the US at risk of deportation.
According to a New York Times report, citing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), about 230 South Sudanese nationals are currently approved to live and work in the United States under the programme.
Those affected will have a 60-day grace period to leave the country before deportation begins in early January 2026.
What is TPS?
TPS is a humanitarian designation under US law for foreign nationals from countries affected by war, natural disasters, or other crises, allowing them temporary protection from deportation and access to work permits.
Amid President Trump’s crackdown on immigration, the Department of Homeland Security has targeted countries that have been given Temporary Protected Status, which is granted to countries facing ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters or other extraordinary conditions.
TPS enables eligible nationals from the designated countries to live and work in the United States legally, without fear of deportation.
The programme for South Sudanese was first authorised in 2011 by the Obama administration due to ongoing armed conflict, and it has been extended multiple times since.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsDHS officials cited renewed peace in South Sudan and improved diplomatic relations as justification for ending TPS.
“Under the previous administration, Temporary Protected Status was abused to allow violent terrorists, criminals and national security threats into our nation. TPS was never designed to be permanent,” New York Times quoted a spokesperson as saying.
Despite the official rationale, United Nations reports warn of escalating armed clashes and deepening food insecurity in parts of South Sudan.
The country has endured repeated violence since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, including a civil war from 2013 to 2018 that left 400,000 people dead.
The termination is the latest in a series of moves by the Trump administration to end temporary deportation protections for migrants.
Broader trend under the Trump admin
Similar TPS designations have been revoked for Afghanistan, Cameroon, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Syria, and Venezuela.
Court challenges have followed, with decisions staying, at least for now, the terminations for all of the countries except for Afghanistan and Cameroon, which ended July 12 and August 4, respectively.
The move to terminate TPS for South Sudan is also expected to be challenged in court.
Critics have expressed concern that some migrants may be returned to countries still facing instability, highlighting the humanitarian risks associated with the policy shift.
South Sudanese nationals have relied on TPS for 14 years to live and work safely in the United States. The DHS notice acknowledges ongoing instability but points to negotiations with the transitional government in Juba.
The decision has sparked concerns among advocates who fear that many will be forced to return to an unsafe environment despite the programme’s long-standing protections.
With inputs from agencies