US ends protected status for 75,000 Nicaraguan and Honduran migrants

Termination of Temporary Protected Status

The United States has ended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 75,000 migrants from Nicaragua and Honduras. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the decision, requiring affected individuals to leave within 60 days unless they obtain alternative residency permits. The TPS program for these nations began in 1999 following Hurricane Mitch's devastation.

Rationale and Reactions

Noem stated TPS was 'intended to be temporary' and cited both countries' recovery as tourist destinations. This contrasts with President Biden's 2023 extension citing persistent economic and political instability. Honduran community leader Juan Flores called the decision an 'economic cold shower,' noting remittances constitute 25% of Honduras' GDP ($9.65 billion in 2024).

Humanitarian Concerns

Nicaraguan migrants face particular peril under Daniel Ortega's regime, where revoked citizenship and political repression complicate returns. Over 2,000 Nicaraguans were deported in early 2025, suggesting US-Ortega negotiations. The move follows recent TPS terminations for Haiti, Venezuela, and Afghanistan, potentially forcing returns to unstable regions.