COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Trump administration will end Temporary Protected Status for Somali migrants on March 17, requiring recipients to leave the United States even as the U.S. Department of State continues to warn Americans not to travel to Somalia because of crime, terrorism and civil unrest.
What You Need To Know
The Trump administration will end Temporary Protected Status for Somali migrants on March 17, requiring recipients to leave the United States despite ongoing security concerns in Somalia
The U.S. Department of State continues to maintain a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for Somalia, citing crime, terrorism and civil unrest, creating tension with the administration’s decision to terminate the protection
The decision affects families in Ohio, home to one of the nation’s largest Somali communities, as community leaders and legal advocates raise concerns about safety and legal options for those impacted
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the termination, saying conditions in Somalia had improved to the point that the country no longer met the legal requirements for Temporary Protected Status, or TPS.
The decision affects families in Ohio, home to one of the nation’s largest Somali communities. TPS allows immigrants from designated countries to live and work legally in the United States when conditions in their home countries are considered dangerous. Somalia has held the designation since 1991.
The State Department, however, continues to list Somalia under a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory—its highest warning—citing security and humanitarian concerns. The conflicting assessments have drawn criticism from community leaders and legal advocates.
“Families are extremely anxious about the idea of returning home, especially that the U.S. government continues to warn that the Somalia is not safe for travel,” said Kawther Musa, community relations commissioner with the Columbus Department of Neighborhoods.
Musa said families point to ongoing instability that affects daily life in Somalia.
“Forced recruitment of youth, sexual violence against women and girls, lack of function in healthcare and limited access to clean water and food,” Musa said.
Community leaders in central Ohio said families frequently hear from relatives in Somalia about the uncertainty of daily survival and warned that returning to the country is not safe for individuals arriving from the United States.
Immigration attorneys said some TPS holders are seeking legal guidance ahead of the March 17 deadline to determine whether they qualify for other forms of protection.
The differing positions taken by federal agencies have raised concerns among legal advocates. Olaide David Oseni, immigration attorney with Margaret W. Wong & Associates LLC said the administration’s approach reflects contradictions in federal policy, noting that the government continues to warn against travel to Somalia while simultaneously ending protections for Somali nationals, a pattern he said is likely to affect other countries as well.
Spectrum News contacted the Department of Homeland Security seeking clarification on why the termination date was set while the Level 4 travel advisory remains in effect. The department said the State Department’s advisory applies to U.S. citizens.