The U.S. Should Maintain Legal Pathways such as Temporary Protected Status for Migrants 

The designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is an important legal pathway for migrants of select countries who are unable to safely return to their home countries due to different conditions or circumstances. On July 7, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the termination of this designation for Honduras and Nicaragua. This announcement follows the Department’s termination of TPS for Venezuelans (2023 designation) as well as citizens of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Nepal, and Haiti. 

Apart from multiple natural disasters, Honduras and Nicaragua have faced for decades structural impunity, violence, poverty, and a lack of access to basic public services. Nicaraguans, in addition, live under a fully authoritarian government that denies civic liberties, including freedom of expression, association, and human rights. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the Nicaraguan regime is an “enemy of humanity.” 

Over 52,000 Hondurans and almost 3,000 Nicaraguans are TPS holders impacted by this measure. They have held TPS status for over 25 years, contributing to the U.S. economy and social and cultural life in their local communities; many TPS holders have family members who are U.S. citizens, including children. Their removal, as well as the termination of TPS for other nationalities, will harm families, local communities, and the country’s economy. It is estimated that over 570,000 TPS holders from various nationalities participate in the U.S. labor force, including in construction, healthcare, agriculture, and services, contributing around $21 billion annually to the U.S. economy.  

Honduras and Nicaragua are unsafe countries with political-economic instability and without the infrastructure and services to effectively support the return of their nationals. DHS should reverse this decision and maintain the TPS designation for these and other nationalities.