The US Department of Homeland Security has announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) — a form of immigration status that prevents deportation — for Somali citizens, the Citizenship and Immigration Services under the department stated.

According to department head Kristi Noem, due to the prolonged absence of diplomatic relations with Somalia, US authorities are unable to vet migrants for ties to terrorist groups, including Al-Shabaab.

"The Al-Shabaab group has conducted recruitment and fundraising within the Somali diaspora in the United States, drawing close attention from US law enforcement. Several Somalis have been prosecuted for financing terrorism, and US citizens (many of Somali descent) have been charged with traveling for training and participating in combat on behalf of Al-Shabaab," the Citizenship and Immigration Services report claims.

Additionally, the administration of US President Donald Trump stated that Somalia is no longer in a state of full-scale armed conflict, and that regions such as Somaliland and Puntland have safe zones for the return of citizens.

"Moreover, the return of Somali citizens to their homeland does not pose a serious threat to their personal safety, as there are areas in Somalia where they can live safely. For example, Somaliland — a territory in northern Somalia — is 'widely seen as an "oasis" of stability in a troubled region.' Additionally, Puntland, an autonomous state, was identified in early 2024 as a destination for many Somalis displaced by violence in the south," the document states.

TPS is a form of immigration status for people who cannot return to their country due to danger, such as armed conflict or environmental disaster. With TPS, individuals can legally remain in the US, apply for work authorization, and receive protection from deportation. The program was launched in 1991 under George H.W. Bush and covered 17 countries. The Trump administration has previously announced the termination of the program for several nations.

In April 2025, a US court lifted the deportation ban for Cameroonians. In November of that year, President Donald Trump announced the immediate termination of the TPS program for Somalis residing in Minnesota.

In February 2026, Boston federal judge Patti Saris struck down the Trump administration's order to terminate TPS for South Sudanese citizens. In April 2026, Boston District Court Judge Brian Murphy blocked the termination of TPS for Ethiopian citizens.

Somalia has suffered from insecurity for many years, with the main threats coming from the terrorist groups Al-Shabaab and the Islamic State. Since 2007, Al-Shabaab has been fighting the Somali government and African Union peacekeepers stationed in the country.