The US government has officially ended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 76,000 migrants from Honduras and Nicaragua living in the country. The announcement was made by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as part of the Trump administration’s broader plan to increase deportations and limit the extension of humanitarian programs.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the protection was always meant to be temporary. She stated that the impacts of Hurricane Mitch, which hit Honduras in 1998, have long been resolved. “The Government of Honduras has taken all of the necessary steps to recover,” she said in a statement to Fox News Digital, adding that citizens from both Honduras and Nicaragua can now return safely.
The decision comes shortly after the government ended TPS for Haiti and attempted to cancel protections for Venezuelans—though that move is currently being blocked by a federal judge. In May, the U.S. Supreme Court supported the administration’s authority to revoke TPS, clearing the way for more terminations to follow.
According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), around 72,000 Hondurans and 4,000 Nicaraguans currently hold TPS and will now be affected. A DHS spokesperson said that environmental conditions in Nicaragua have improved since the natural disaster that triggered protection back in 1999, meaning the reason for granting TPS no longer exists.
The administration has introduced a return assistance program for affected migrants. Those who voluntarily return can use the CBP One app to arrange secure travel, including a free plane ticket and a $1,000 exit bonus. DHS says this is part of an effort to help migrants return home with dignity while restoring the original purpose of TPS.
While some migrants and immigrant rights groups have criticized the move, Noem emphasized that Honduras has remained a strong partner to the US and that her department will assist with safe repatriation. The TPS program, originally created in 1990, was designed to provide temporary refuge for people fleeing war, disaster, or unsafe conditions in their home countries.
However, critics argue that ending TPS for these groups could lead to family separation, job losses, and hardship for those who have lived and worked in the US for years. Many of the Honduran and Nicaraguan migrants under TPS have built their lives in the country, contributing to the economy and communities.
The debate over immigration and humanitarian protections continues to divide lawmakers and communities across the US. As the 2026 election approaches, the Biden and Trump camps are likely to continue clashing over how far to go in balancing national security, compassion, and the rule of law.