The Trump administration has officially terminated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for thousands of Afghans and Cameroonians residing in the United States, marking a significant escalation in the administration’s broader immigration crackdown. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the move on Friday, stating that conditions in both countries no longer meet the criteria for protected status.
According to DHS, approximately 14,600 Afghans will lose their TPS by May, while about 7,900 Cameroonians will see their protections end in June. The decision is part of a sweeping effort by President Donald Trump to reverse several immigration policies implemented under former President Joe Biden. Trump, who has made immigration enforcement a cornerstone of his platform, has criticized the Biden-era policies as lenient and legally questionable.
TPS provides temporary legal protection and work authorization to nationals from countries experiencing armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary circumstances. It is typically granted for six to 18 months and can be renewed at the discretion of the Homeland Security secretary.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem determined that Afghanistan and Cameroon no longer require TPS, despite recent instability. Advocates argue that both nations remain unsafe, pointing to ongoing violence, political turmoil, and humanitarian crises. Afghanistan, in particular, remains under Taliban rule following the U.S. military withdrawal in 2021, which prompted the evacuation of over 82,000 Afghans—many of whom entered the U.S. on temporary humanitarian parole.
The administration’s decision has drawn criticism from immigrant rights groups, especially as reports emerge that some migrants, including Afghans who arrived via the Biden-era CBP One app, have been receiving deportation notices. These individuals are now being instructed to leave the U.S. within seven days. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin confirmed the revocations, stating the department was “exercising its discretionary authority.”
Confusion also arose after similar messages were mistakenly sent to Ukrainian parolees last week. Advocates fear the latest developments signal a wider rollback of humanitarian protections.
Migrants affected by the revocation are now being urged to use the CBP Home App to voluntarily self-deport. The Biden administration previously extended TPS protections due to ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, but that decision has now been overturned under Trump’s directive.
