U.S Revokes TPS for Immigrants from Honduras and Nicaragua

During his term as president, the Biden administration extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for many immigrant communities. Unfortunately, TPS immigration news did a dramatic 180 following Donald Trump’s 2025 re-election. The Trump Administration has not only reversed course but begun to strip away longstanding TPS protections, including the Honduras and Nicaragua designations dating back to the 1990s.

On July 8, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it is revoking TPS for thousands, including individuals from longstanding TPS countries Honduras and Nicaragua. This change would affect tens of thousands of long-term U.S. residents who have lived and worked here legally for decades.

At the Law Office of Rosina C. Stambaugh, we understand the fear and confusion this recent TPS immigration news brings. Our firm focuses exclusively on immigration law and is committed to helping clients navigate the immigration system, especially in scary times. If you or a loved one is affected by this decision, we are here to help you figure out what to do next.

What Is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?

TPS is a humanitarian program established by the U.S. Congress in 1990. It allows nationals of certain countries to live and work legally in the U.S. if their home country faces ongoing armed conflict, natural disaster, or other extraordinary humanitarian crises that make it unsafe.

The status does not provide a path to permanent residency (a green card) or citizenship, but it protects recipients from deportation and grants work authorization. The Secretary of Homeland Security can designate a country for TPS for up to 18 months and extend that period indefinitely if conditions in the home country remain unsafe.

To qualify for TPS, an individual must:

• Be a national of a country that DHS has officially identified as unsafe,
• Have lived in the U.S. continuously since a specific date set by DHS, and
• Not have certain criminal convictions or pose a national security threat.

TPS is a lifeline for many immigrants who would face dangerous or unstable conditions in their home countries.

TPS for Nicaragua and Honduras

As 1998 drew to a close, DHS (then the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)) designated Honduras and Nicaragua for TPS after Hurricane Mitch caused widespread devastation. Since then, DHS has repeatedly extended TPS due to persistent instability, poverty, natural disasters like hurricanes and droughts, widespread gang violence, and weak democratic institutions.

Temporary Protected Status for Honduras and Temporary Protected Status for Nicaragua started on January 5, 1999. Individuals who currently benefit from TPS for Nicaragua or Honduras TPS must have lived in the U.S. since December 30, 1998, and been continuously present in the country since January 5, 1999.

As of 2024, approximately 76,000 Hondurans and 4,000 Nicaraguans held TPS. These immigrants have built lives, families, and careers in the U.S. for over two decades. Many have U.S.-born children and deep community ties. Ending TPS would upend their lives and risk separating families.

Termination of Nicaragua and Honduras TPS

DHS published official notices on July 8, 2025, declaring that TPS benefits for Honduras and Nicaragua would end 60 days after the publication. That means the administration plans to officially revoke TPS for the approximately 80,000 beneficiaries of those programs on September 8, 2025. The announcement is part of a coordinated effort to terminate TPS for nearly half of the currently designated countries.

Legal Challenges

Several advocacy organizations and legal groups have filed lawsuits to stop the termination. The National TPS Alliance, the ACLU, and other immigrant rights groups challenging the decision in federal court argue that it violates administrative law and is arbitrary, discriminatory, politically motivated, and not based on objective humanitarian assessments.

These lawsuits could result in court orders halting or delaying the termination of the programs. Yet, in uncertain times, TPS holders may be at risk for the first time in nearly three decades.

What Can TPS Holders from Honduras and Nicaragua Do?

If you are a TPS recipient from Honduras or Nicaragua, now is the time to speak with an immigration attorney. Other legal avenues may exist to help you stay in the U.S. lawfully. Yet, you may need to file for those benefits before the announced cutoff date of September 8, 2025, so that you apply while your status is still officially good.

Some possibilities include:

• Family-based applications—for lawful status based on a qualifying relationship with a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, such as a spouse or child;
• Asylum—a form of protection for individuals who have a credible fear of persecution in their home country due to their actual or perceived race, nationality, political opinion, religion, or membership in a particular social group;
• U visas—for victims of certain crimes who cooperate with investigations by law enforcement ;
• T visas— for individuals who have experienced human trafficking and meet specific requirements;
• Employment-based green cards—may be available to immigrants with certain job offers or specialized skills; and
• Deferred action—a discretionary decision by immigration authorities to delay deportation in limited humanitarian situations, such as medical emergencies or severe family hardship.

Your eligibility for these options depends on your personal history, immigration background, and current situation. Speak with an immigration attorney as soon as possible to learn about your rights and options.

Do You Need Help After Losing TPS? We Are Here

At the Law Office of Rosina C. Stambaugh, we help immigrants respond to the Trump Administration’s targeting of law-abiding noncitizens. When you meet with us, we listen to your concerns, explain your options, and work with you to figure out what you should do next.

The recent TPS immigration news for Honduras and Nicaragua is frightening, but you are not alone. The Law Office of Rosina C. Stambaugh can help you explore your options and fight to protect your future. We offer compassionate, experienced legal representation focused exclusively on immigration law. Call us today or contact us online to schedule a consultation. Your future is worth fighting for.

Resources:

• ACLU Southern California, TPS Holders Challenge Termination of Temporary Protected Status for 60,000 Nepali, Honduran, and Nicaraguan Long-Term Residents of the United States (July 2025), link.
• Termination of the Designation of Honduras for Temporary Protected Status, 90 Fed. Reg. 30089, July 8, 2025, link.
• Termination of the Designation of Nicaragua for Temporary Protected Status, 90 Fed. Reg. 30086, July 8, 2025, link.

Rosina Stambaugh

Rosina C. Stambaugh, founder of The Law Office of Rosina C. Stambaugh in York, brings a wealth of expertise to immigration law. With a focus on removal defense, Ms. Stambaugh has successfully litigated cases across various Immigration Courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, offering comprehensive support to clients facing diverse immigration challenges. She also represents individuals and families applying for affirmative benefits with U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services.