On December 12, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ethiopian nationals, a designation that had allowed individuals from Ethiopia to live and work in the United States due to unsafe conditions in their home country. A DHS spokesperson stated that conditions in Ethiopia no longer pose a serious threat to returning nationals, leading to this decision. TPS was initially granted by the Biden administration in 2022 in response to ongoing armed conflict, and it was extended in 2024 by then-Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who cited extraordinary conditions preventing safe return. With the expiration of TPS, over 4,500 Ethiopian nationals in the U.S. now face a deportation deadline of February 13, 2026.

In addition to the TPS termination, the DHS has also decided to end family-reunification parole programs for Cuba, Haiti, and six other Latin American countries. These programs were designed to expedite the immigration process for relatives of lawful U.S. permanent residents or citizens, allowing them to enter the U.S. while awaiting permanent residency. The DHS cited perceived security gaps as the reason for the termination, although the specific security issues referenced remain unclear, given that individuals in these programs had already undergone vetting for regular immigration visas. The termination means that migrants currently in the U.S. under this status will lose their legal standing unless they apply for permanent residency or adjust their status by December 15, 2025.

These policy changes are part of a broader trend under the Trump administration, which has previously suspended similar programs and implemented travel bans affecting families from Cuba and Haiti. Critics argue that these actions complicate the already challenging situation for families separated by migration policies, particularly as many have been waiting for years to reunite. Legal experts suggest that the administration's actions reflect a long-standing agenda to limit legal immigration from Caribbean and Latin American countries.

Furthermore, Minnesota is facing scrutiny over extensive welfare fraud schemes amounting to $1 billion, which have prompted investigations into the informal remittance system known as hawala, commonly used by Somali Americans to send money to relatives in Somalia. U.S. officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, have expressed concerns that taxpayer dollars involved in these fraud schemes may be funneled into financial networks that could benefit al-Shabaab, a group known for imposing taxes and extorting businesses in Somalia. The House Oversight Committee has initiated an inquiry into the fraud and the associated risks of financing terrorism. Remittances play a vital role in the Somali economy, with U.S. Somalis sending approximately $215 million annually, contributing significantly to Somalia's economic output. However, the informal nature of hawala transactions raises concerns about potential exploitation and the impact of corruption on the region's economic stability.

These developments highlight the complexities and humanitarian implications of U.S. immigration and refugee policies, particularly for vulnerable populations seeking safety and family reunification.