Two African Countries Still Protected as Trump Goes After Somalians in Minnesota

The U.S. immigration debate has taken a sharp turn again, and this time, it directly affects African communities especially Somalians living in Minnesota. The Trump administration has moved to target Somali residents under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS), even though the national TPS protection for Somalia is still valid. 

This shift has left only two African countries, Ethiopia and Sudan fully covered under the programme.

The decision has created confusion, fear, and frustration, particularly in Minnesota, which hosts the largest Somali community in the United States.

This is a sudden shift in TPS protections

In just a few weeks, the U.S. government has reversed TPS for two African countries. South Sudan lost its TPS earlier this month after an interagency review declared that the country no longer met the programme’s requirements. 

Shortly after, President Donald Trump announced he was ending TPS protection for Somalians living in Minnesota.

This move does not end Somalia’s national TPS designation, which is still valid until March 2026. Instead, it targets Somali TPS holders specifically within Minnesota, separating them from other Somalians covered under federal protection.

This unusual approach marks one of the most aggressive adjustments to TPS in recent years, shrinking a programme that was created to protect people fleeing conflict, natural disasters, or humanitarian crises.

What triggered Trump’s action?

The decision came after President Trump posted late at night on Truth Social, accusing Somalians in Minnesota of gang activity and financial crimes. 

He claimed that billions of dollars were unaccounted for and described Minnesota as a centre for fraudulent money laundering.

However, these claims have not been independently confirmed. According to Reuters and the Congressional Research Service, most Somali residents in Minnesota are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Only 705 Somali-born people nationwide actually hold TPS.

This makes the decision even more controversial, as it targets a small group based on unverified allegations and political tension within Minnesota.

South Sudan’s exit from TPS

South Sudan was the first to be removed this month. The Department of Homeland Security said it made the decision after reviewing security and humanitarian conditions in the country. Officials argued that South Sudan no longer met the criteria for TPS.

As part of the phase-out, South Sudanese nationals were offered a “self-deportation” plan that includes a free plane ticket, a $1,000 exit bonus, and potential eligibility for future immigration programmes if they leave voluntarily within 60 days. Those who refuse could face deportation starting early January.

This removal, combined with the Minnesota-specific targeting of Somalians, has significantly reshaped TPS protection for Africans in the U.S.

Ethiopia and Sudan are the last fully protected countries

With South Sudan removed and Somalians in Minnesota facing a new threat, only Ethiopia and Sudan remain fully protected under TPS. 

Somalia’s protection is technically still active at the federal level, but Trump’s targeted action has created a grey area for many Somali families.

Advocacy groups say these recent decisions show a worrying trend narrowing of humanitarian protections just when many African countries are still battling conflict, unrest, and displacement.

How it is slowly turning political

TPS has always been a humanitarian tool, but the recent moves show how politically charged it has become. 

State-specific enforcement, unverified accusations, and sudden reversals are introducing new uncertainty for African migrants who have lived in the U.S. for years.

For communities affected especially Somalians in Minnesota, the fear is clear. They are not just watching policies shift; they are living through decisions that may determine whether they stay in the only home they have known for decades.