DHS Ends Protected Status for South Sudanese Nationals, Plans Deportations Amid Worsening Conditions Abroad
The Department of Homeland Security’s announcement to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for South Sudanese nationals marks a significant shift in immigration policy under the Trump administration. As TPS ends, it paves the way for deportations of hundreds who have relied on this legal protection since 2011 due to civil war and violence, jeopardizing their already precarious situations.
This termination affects approximately 155 South Sudanese individuals currently under TPS, alongside another 280 who are eligible but unregistered. Ending this status strips away their shield against deportation and eliminates their legal work opportunities unless they can navigate other complex immigration relief options.
The decision to terminate TPS is exacerbated by earlier visa sanctions imposed by the Secretary of State. These sanctions, announced in April, revoke all visas for South Sudanese passport holders. This measure was taken after claims that the Transitional Government of South Sudan was obstructing the repatriation of its citizens. “It is time for the Transitional Government of South Sudan to stop taking advantage of the United States,” said Rubio, highlighting the broader implications for South Sudanese communities both in the U.S. and at home.
The TPS designation was initially put in place to offer temporary protection amid armed conflict and extraordinary conditions. However, DHS now claims that South Sudan no longer meets those criteria, despite humanitarian groups pointing to ongoing chaos in the country. With over 8 million people in need of aid, widespread violence remains rampant, and more than 2.3 million South Sudanese have fled. This ongoing crisis raises serious questions about the viability of returning these individuals to their homeland.
Immigration advocates warn that the termination of TPS could lead to immediate deportation risks once the grace period concludes—possibly within 12 to 18 months. Past DHS practices have offered transition periods to allow individuals the chance to either adjust their immigration status or prepare for voluntary departure; however, current conditions suggest little hope for those being forced back to South Sudan.
This latest decision appears to have been thoroughly vetted, as it followed consultations among various government departments. Historically, courts have shown leniency toward DHS’s interpretation of TPS eligibility, exercising minimal oversight over these significant policy changes. The precedent set by similar TPS rollbacks in previous years further solidifies the administration’s legal standing, despite the humanitarian catastrophes unfolding abroad.
For the South Sudanese communities already established in the U.S., the implications are dire. Many have integrated into society, formed families, and built careers from the legal framework TPS provided. Removal would not only disrupt their lives but also potentially expose them to danger upon returning home, where conditions remain threatening and unstable. The intensified enforcement of immigration laws suggests a forthcoming increase in ICE actions against those whose TPS has expired or been denied, particularly given the recent sanctions against South Sudanese nationals.
Politically, the terminations align with the broader Trump administration’s agenda of tightening immigration across many fronts. Since 2025, there has been a concerted effort to limit asylum access, restructure refugee admission processes, and impose heightened scrutiny on immigration applications. Viewed through this lens, the ending of TPS for South Sudanese individuals resonates with supporters who argue it represents a necessary enforcement of U.S. immigration policy, now seen as long overdue.
Yet, the humanitarian risks involved are far-reaching. External observers and aid organizations continue to voice concerns regarding South Sudan’s fragile state, faced with not only its internal conflicts but also the refugee influx from surrounding areas. The country struggles with the infrastructure needed to support returnees who may find nothing waiting for them but hardship and challenges. Some face detention, forced military recruitment, and further displacement—conditions that tarnish any potential for safe reintegration.
As of now, no legislative solutions exist to provide permanent status or broader relief for South Sudanese TPS holders. Those affected must look for alternative legal paths, like asylum or family-based adjustments, but these routes are laden with complexities and considerable delays. The impending DHS notice will indicate when TPS status will officially end, cementing the uncertain future of those who have called the U.S. home for years.
The end of TPS is met with divided reactions. Many view it as a necessary enforcement of immigration laws against a backdrop of worsening conditions. Others, particularly humanitarian advocates, express alarm at the risk being posed to vulnerable individuals who could soon face life-threatening circumstances upon their return. As the U.S. navigates this challenging landscape, the balance between enforcing policy and responding to humanitarian needs remains acutely tested.
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