Trump Administration Moves to End Protections for Afghan and Cameroonian Migrants

The Department of Homeland Security has announced plans to end Temporary Protected Status for over 10,000 Afghans and Cameroonians, putting them at risk of deportation. The move follows a series of similar actions aimed at curbing immigration and could spark legal challenges.

In a significant development, the Trump administration is moving forward with plans to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 10,000 individuals from Afghanistan and Cameroon. Announced by the Department of Homeland Security on Friday, this action is set to affect migrants who have been living in the United States legally under a system designed to protect them from dangers in their home countries, including conflict and natural disasters. These individuals have also been able to work legally in the U.S.

The administration has intensified its focus on revoking TPS as part of a wider campaign against immigration. Officials have argued that this program is being exploited by individuals to prolong their stay in the U.S. indefinitely. Already this year, efforts to block TPS for Venezuelan migrants and to reduce the protection duration for Haitians have been attempted.

This latest move is likely to encounter legal opposition. Last week, Judge Edward M. Chen of the federal court in San Francisco issued a temporary injunction against the government's attempt to revoke TPS for Venezuelans, citing potential “irreparable harm” to thousands of lives and significant economic impacts on the U.S. economy.

Legal teams challenging the Trump administration's immigration policies are closely monitoring developments, especially regarding Kristi Noem's role as the Secretary of Homeland Security in this shifting landscape. As the country grapples with these contentious immigration policies, the lives and futures of thousands of migrants remain uncertain.