WASHINGTON:
Thousands of Afghans and Cameroonians residing in the U.S. will soon lose their deportation protections, following the Trump administration’s move to end their Temporary Protected Status (TPS) as part of a broader immigration policy. This decision marks an ongoing effort to reduce the number of individuals with temporary legal status in the U.S.
Around 14,600 Afghans who have been living under TPS will lose their protections in May, while 7,900 Cameroonians will face the same fate in June. This shift follows President Trump’s continued push to tighten immigration policies, a key element of his administration since taking office in January.
TPS is granted to people from countries facing crises, such as armed conflicts or natural disasters. It provides protection from deportation and access to work permits for 6 to 18 months, with the option for renewal by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin explained that Secretary Kristi Noem determined that conditions in both Afghanistan and Cameroon no longer warranted the continuation of TPS. Trump’s administration had previously attempted to end TPS protections during his first term, but those efforts were blocked by the courts. In March, a U.S. district judge ruled against the attempt to terminate TPS for Venezuelans, criticizing the portrayal of migrants as criminals.
In addition to the TPS revocation, many Afghans who entered the U.S. after the 2021 Taliban takeover under a temporary parole status are also facing notices requiring them to leave the country within seven days. These individuals had been allowed into the U.S. under Biden-era policies that permitted parole for up to two years.
McLaughlin confirmed this week that DHS has revoked the parole for some individuals, exercising its discretionary authority. While the exact number of revocations was not disclosed, those affected are encouraged to voluntarily leave the U.S. using the CBP Home App. Similar notices were mistakenly sent to Ukrainians last week.
