WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Monday that it will end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of both Honduras and Nicaragua, citing improved country conditions that no longer support continued protection. The move impacts thousands of individuals who have lived in the United States under the TPS designation for decades.
TPS for Honduras will officially terminate on July 5, 2026, following an 18-month transition period. The designation for Nicaragua will end earlier, on January 5, 2026. Both countries were initially granted TPS more than 20 years ago in the aftermath of natural disasters — Hurricane Mitch in 1998 for Honduras and the same storm’s devastating impact on Nicaragua.
“TPS is a temporary benefit and not intended to provide long-term lawful status in the United States,” said DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. “After careful review of current conditions, we have determined that the original circumstances that led to the TPS designations no longer exist in either country.”
DHS emphasized that the decision came after consultation with interagency partners and an assessment of conditions on the ground. According to the department, both Honduras and Nicaragua have made significant progress in recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Mitch and no longer meet the legal criteria for TPS under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Hondurans and Nicaraguans currently covered under TPS will be required to re-register to maintain work authorization during the respective wind-down periods. DHS said it will publish detailed instructions in the Federal Register in the coming days.
Approximately 76,000 Hondurans and 4,000 Nicaraguans are currently enrolled in the TPS program. Many have lived and worked in the U.S. for more than two decades, raising concerns among immigration advocates and some lawmakers about the humanitarian impact of forcing long-settled individuals to return to countries still facing economic and political challenges.
DHS acknowledged those concerns but reiterated that TPS must adhere to statutory limits. “It was never meant to last for 25 years,” the department said in a statement about Nicaragua’s termination. “We are committed to administering the law in a way that is consistent with its intent and with the facts on the ground.”
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