The Department of Homeland Security ended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ethiopians living in the United States. Ethiopian nationals have been given 60 days to leave voluntarily.
After February 13, DHS may arrest and deport Ethiopian nationals with terminated TPS.
“Temporary Protected Status designations are time-limited and were never meant to be a ticket to permanent residency,” a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services spokesperson said in a statement. “Conditions in Ethiopia no longer pose a serious threat to the personal safety of returning Ethiopian nationals. Since the situation no longer meets the statutory requirements for a TPS designation, Secretary Noem is terminating this designation to restore integrity in our immigration system.”
According to the Federal Register, “Ethiopia was initially designated for Temporary Protected Status on December 12, 2022, based on ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions. In April 2024, former Secretary Mayorkas extended Ethiopia’s designation and newly designated Ethiopia for Temporary Protected Status based on ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions.”
The Federal Register notice goes on to say that while some conflicts remain, “there are signs of improvement in the country.”
“These improvements suggest there is no longer an ongoing armed conflict that poses a serious threat to the personal safety of returning Ethiopian nationals. Based on the Department’s review, the Secretary has determined that the termination of Temporary Protected Status for Ethiopia is required,” the notice adds. “The Secretary has determined that, while some sporadic and episodic violence occurs in Ethiopia, the situation no longer meets the criteria for an ongoing armed conflict that poses a serious threat to the personal safety of returning Ethiopian nationals.”
