Full Breakdown
Judge Lifts Block, Clearing Way to End Somali Temporary Protected Status
8/15/2026, 8:51:32 PM
Court Decision Allows Termination of Somali TPS
U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs lifted the stay that had prevented the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali nationals. The order, issued on a Friday, follows a June 2026 Supreme Court ruling that limited judicial review of TPS terminations. With the stay removed, the administration can proceed with revoking TPS, exposing affected individuals to loss of work authorization and potential deportation.
Background & Context
Somalia was added to the TPS list in 1991, shortly after Congress created the program as a humanitarian response to civil conflict. The designation was last renewed by the Biden administration, citing ongoing armed conflict. In January, former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that the United States would terminate Somali TPS in March, arguing that “temporary means temporary” and that conditions in Somalia had improved enough to no longer meet TPS requirements. Noem’s statement contrasted with a State Department “Level 4: Do Not Travel” advisory that continues to warn of crime, kidnapping, terrorism and other hazards.
Data & Statistics
- Reuters reported roughly 1,100 Somali nationals would lose TPS protections.
- Fox News cited 2,471 Somali nationals currently holding TPS and 1,383 pending applications.
- KSTP estimated about 700 TPS holders are directly impacted by the ruling.
- The Somali community in Minnesota numbers around 108,000 residents, with less than 1 % holding TPS.
Official Statements & Responses
- DHS posted on X that termination of TPS is now in effect for the listed countries and warned “LEAVE NOW or be DEPORTED.”
- The Supreme Court’s June 2026 decision in *Mullin v. Doe* held that courts lack jurisdiction to review the Secretary of Homeland Security’s TPS termination decisions, a precedent the judge cited as binding.
- Judge Burroughs wrote that, while plaintiffs presented a compelling case, the Supreme Court’s ruling required her to view the matter “through the Mullin prism.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “Most people who have TPS actually have other programs or other things that they’re applying for the citizenship program where they can become legal citizens so we’re hoping they can rely on that,” — Jaylani Hussein
- “My understanding is their focus is on criminal individuals,” — Roger Tsai, immigration attorney
- “If the government wishes to remove or detain Somali people who previously held TPS, those enforcement actions will be subject to the protections of the Due Process Clause,” — Allison Burroughs
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the number of Somali TPS beneficiaries affected. Reuters cites 1,100 individuals, Fox News provides a figure of 2,471 current TPS holders plus 1,383 pending applications, and KSTP estimates roughly 700 impacted. No source offers a definitive, government-verified count, leaving the exact scope of the termination unclear.
What’s Next
The plaintiffs have filed an amended complaint raising new constitutional claims, and legal challenges are expected to continue. DHS has indicated that enforcement actions will proceed under existing due-process protections, suggesting that removal or detention of former TPS holders will be subject to judicial review. The broader TPS rollback, affecting other countries such as Haiti, Syria, South Sudan and Myanmar, remains under active litigation.
