 for nearly one million immigrants from war-torn and unstable regions.){kind=link}
What is Temporary Protected Status Bestowed upon Migrants in USA?
In one of his final acts as President, Joe Biden extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nearly one million immigrants from war-torn and unstable regions, providing a reprieve from deportation and allowing them to remain in the country legally. The extension came just days before Donald Trump was set to assume office as the 47th American President, reigniting debates over immigration policies.
Under the extension, over 200,000 Salvadorans, about 600,000 Venezuelans, more than 100,000 Ukrainians, and nearly 2,000 Sudanese immigrants will be allowed to remain in the U.S. with work permits until October 2026. The program, which shields migrants from deportation if their home countries are deemed unsafe due to conflict, natural disasters, or other crises, has long been a contentious issue in American politics.
Trump issued an executive action requesting a review of the TPS program and urging federal officials to assess whether its scope is “appropriately limited.” During his first term, Trump also sought to end TPS for certain countries, claiming that many nations in the program had recovered from the disasters or conflicts that initially justified their inclusion, and that the status had been extended for longer than necessary. Migrants from these war-torn countries have expressed their concerns, saying their lives have become ruled by fear.
If Trump were to revoke TPS, it would likely face legal challenges. Alternatively, he could choose not to extend the protections beyond the 18-month extension ordered by Biden, potentially making temprarily protected migrants subject to deportation. Adding to the complexity is the fact that Venezuela currently does not accept deportees from the United States.
The Biden administration’s decision reflects its broader effort to expand protections for immigrants. In 2022, Biden introduced a policy enabling spouses of American citizens to obtain legal status even if they entered the country illegally. Additionally, the administration extended TPS to include citizens of countries like Ukraine and Venezuela, which are currently grappling with war and political instability.
During his first term, Trump attempted to terminate TPS for approximately 400,000 immigrants from El Salvador and other countries, arguing that conditions in these nations had improved. His decision faced legal challenges and was ultimately stalled, but he is expected to pursue similar measures in his second term, as part of a broader promise to conduct mass deportations.
By extending TPS for another 18 months, the Biden administration made it legally difficult for the incoming administration to immediately revoke these protections. Migrants under TPS will now retain their status at least until 2026, providing temporary security amidst an uncertain political climate.
History of TPS
TPS was signed into law in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush to ensure that foreign nationals already in the United States could remain if returning to their home countries posed significant risks. Over the decades, both Democratic and Republican administrations have used the program to provide humanitarian relief to migrants from regions plagued by crises.
As of 2024, more than a million immigrants from Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and the Middle East benefit from TPS, according to the Congressional Research Service. The largest groups of recipients are Venezuelans and Salvadorans, who continue to face dire conditions in their home countries.
The program has drawn criticism from some conservative leaders, including Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, who has called the program illegal. On the campaign trail, Vance specifically criticized Haitian immigrants who settled in Ohio under TPS protections. Haiti, experiencing severe political instability and gang violence, has about 200,000 citizens in the U.S. shielded from deportation until early 2026.
Immigrant advocates, however, praised the Biden administration’s move as a necessary act of compassion and justice. “[The] extension is a lifeline for families who have built lives here and cannot safely return home,” a spokesperson for the American Immigration Council had remarked.
Manbilas Singh is a talented writer and journalist who focuses on the finer details in every story and values integrity above everything. A self-proclaimed sleuth, he strives to expose the fine print behind seemingly mundane activities and aims to uncover the truth that is hidden from the general public. In his time away from work, he is a music aficionado and a nerd who revels in video & board games, books and Formula 1.
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