- The US Citizenship and Immigration Services Department explained why it ended the temporary protected status for South Sudanese and other nationals
- President Donald Trump’s administration said it is employing rigorous screening and vetting standards for foreigners
- This came after the Republican-led administration delayed the 2027 Green Card Lottery registration
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TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto has over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.
The US president Donald Trump’s administration has ended the temporary protected status (TPS) for South Sudanese and other nationals.
Source: Facebook
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services Department issued a Federal Register notice the termination for South Sudanese will be effective January 5, 2026.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said that South Sudan’s circumstances no longer satisfy the TPS statutory requirements.
She made the decision after consulting with the Department of State and reviewing the situation in the East African country.
“South Sudanese nationals leaving the US should use the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Home Mobile App to report their departure from the US and take advantage of a safe, secure way to self-deport that includes a complimentary plane ticket, a $1,000 (KSh 130,130) exit bonus, and potential future opportunities for legal immigration,” the department stated.
Which other countries were affected?
The US noted that it discontinued the categorical parole programmes for Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
Source: Facebook
Other countries include Cameroon, Syria and Nepal.
It clarified that parole requests are now thoroughly evaluated on an individual basis.
“TPS for Afghanistan, Cameroon, Nepal, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Venezuela (2023 extension and 2021 designation), and Syria was terminated by Secretary Noem. The US CBP Home app has been urged to be used by hundreds of thousands of foreign nationals who are not authorized to be in the country in order to leave the US,” USCIS revealed in a statement.
How many people will be impacted in the US?
USCIS said it is employing rigorous screening and vetting standards and actively aiding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other law enforcement partners to enforce immigration law and preserve public safety.
Since January 20, 2025, USCIS has sent approximately 3,200 persons with orders of removal, active warrants and other criminal indications to ICE and other law enforcement authorities, resulting in the apprehension of almost 2,000 illegal immigrants.
It has also made 13,225 referrals to ICE for fraud, public safety and national security issues, including 320 for verified or suspected foreign terrorist organisation gang members.
Why is the US reviewing social media accounts for foreigners?
TUKO.co.ke previously reported that the US is evaluating foreigners’ use of social media and other remarks for anti-American ideologies.
Officials said they see it as a negative factor in any USCIS discretionary examination when adjudicating immigration benefit requests.
In FY25, USCIS checked 12,502 individual social media accounts.
When is the 2027 Green Card Lottery?
In other news, the US delayed the 2027 Green Card Lottery.
The Department of State noted it was implementing changes, hence the delay.
It said the start date for the registration would be announced in due course.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
