The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on February 13, 2026, that it is terminating Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of Yemen.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem made the announcement, stating that Yemen no longer meets the statutory requirements for TPS designation. The termination takes effect 60 days after the notice is published in the Federal Register.
Yemen was first designated for TPS on September 3, 2015, because of ongoing armed conflict that was determined to pose a serious threat to the personal safety of returning nationals. The designation was subsequently extended or extended and redesignated in 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024. The most recent extension was set to expire on March 3, 2026.
In her statement, Secretary Noem said:
“After reviewing conditions in the country and consulting with appropriate U.S. government agencies, I determined that Yemen no longer meets the law’s requirements to be designated for Temporary Protected Status. Allowing TPS Yemen beneficiaries to remain temporarily in the United States is contrary to our national interest. TPS was designed to be temporary, and this administration is returning TPS to its original temporary intent. We are prioritizing our national security interests and putting America first.”
As of March 31, 2025, approximately 1,380 Yemeni nationals held TPS, according to data from the Congressional Research Service and USCIS fact sheets. Individuals with no other lawful basis to remain in the United States have 60 days from the effective date of termination to depart voluntarily. DHS is encouraging self-deportation through the CBP Home app, which offers a complimentary plane ticket, a $2,600 exit bonus, and potential future opportunities for legal immigration. After the termination date, individuals without status may face arrest and removal by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Forced removal could result in permanent bars to re-entry.
This is the latest in a series of TPS terminations under the current administration. Yemen’s small beneficiary population means the direct numerical impact is limited nationwide.
In southern Ohio, including Ross County and adjacent counties such as Pickaway, Fairfield, Highland, and Pike, federal immigration policy changes like this are monitored closely by local residents and officials who emphasize border security, rule of law, and enforcement of existing statutes. While the number of Yemen TPS holders in the region is negligible, the announcement aligns with broader national efforts to limit temporary protections and prioritize American interests—topics frequently discussed in community conversations across rural Ohio.
