In a major shift in U.S. immigration policy, the Trump administration has announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 14,600 Afghans and 7,900 Cameroonians currently residing in the United States. The decision was officially revealed on April 11, 2025, and is expected to have far-reaching implications for thousands who have relied on this status to live and work legally in the country.
TPS is a humanitarian program that allows individuals from countries experiencing armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions to temporarily live and work in the United States. It offers protection from deportation and provides work permits to eligible individuals for the duration of their country’s TPS designation. These designations are subject to regular reviews and can be extended or revoked depending on conditions in the respective countries.
The Department of Homeland Security, under Secretary Kristi Noem, concluded that conditions in Afghanistan and Cameroon no longer meet the criteria for TPS. As a result, the program will be officially terminated for Afghans in May 2025 and for Cameroonians in June 2025. This move effectively ends deportation protection and work authorization for nearly 22,500 individuals from these two countries.
The decision comes as a significant blow to Afghan nationals who sought refuge in the U.S. following the Taliban's return to power in 2021. Over 82,000 Afghans were evacuated to the United States during the U.S. military withdrawal, many of whom arrived under temporary "parole" status without a direct path to permanent residency. Thousands of them later received TPS to stabilize their lives while awaiting further immigration solutions. With the termination of TPS, they now face renewed uncertainty and potential removal from the country.
Similarly, Cameroonian nationals who fled political violence and instability in their home country are now at risk. Close to 8,000 Cameroonians who have been living legally in the U.S. under TPS protections will lose their legal status and the right to work, unless they can secure another form of relief or residency.
This latest action aligns with a broader trend within the Trump administration to restrict immigration and phase out protections granted under prior administrations. Previous efforts to end TPS for other nationalities, including Venezuelans, faced legal pushback. In one notable case, a federal judge recently blocked the termination of Venezuelan TPS, citing concerns over racial bias in policy decisions.
Immigration advocacy organizations and legal experts have criticized the administration’s decision as inhumane and irresponsible. They argue that conditions in both Afghanistan and Cameroon remain dangerous and unstable, making it unsafe for returnees. Advocacy groups are preparing to challenge the decision in court and are calling on Congress to provide permanent protections for affected communities.
Political analysts warn that the decision could also strain U.S. foreign relations, especially with Afghanistan, where many of those now at risk had worked alongside American forces during the war. The move could be seen by international observers as a failure to uphold moral and humanitarian commitments to allies and vulnerable populations.
As the deadlines approach, affected individuals and families are left in a state of uncertainty, unsure of their legal future in the United States. The decision marks another turning point in the ongoing debate over immigration policy, humanitarian responsibility, and America’s global image as a refuge for the displaced.