Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Nicaragua. The TPS designation will expire on July 5, 2025, and the termination will be effective 60 days after the publication of the Federal Register notice.
The Secretary of Homeland Security is required to review conditions in a country designated for TPS at least 60 days before its expiration. This review involves consultation with appropriate U.S. government agencies to determine if the conditions supporting the designation continue to exist and whether an extension is warranted.
A spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security stated, "Temporary Protected Status was never meant to last a quarter of a century." They further explained that "the impacts of a natural disaster impacting Nicaragua in 1999 no longer exist," and that "the environmental situation has improved enough that it is safe enough for Nicaraguan citizens to return home." The spokesperson emphasized that this decision aims to restore integrity in the immigration system by ensuring TPS remains temporary.
Secretary Noem's decision followed consultations with interagency partners and was based on a review by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, along with input from the Department of State. It was concluded that conditions in Nicaragua have improved sufficiently for Nicaraguans to safely return.
Nicaraguan nationals leaving the United States are encouraged to use the U.S. Customs and Border Protection CBP Home app for reporting their departure. This service offers a secure self-deportation process, including a complimentary plane ticket, a $1,000 exit bonus, and potential future opportunities for legal immigration.
