The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced this week the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of Honduras and Nicaragua, ending humanitarian protections that have lasted more than two decades for tens of thousands of people.

On July 7, 2025, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem cited “improved country conditions” in both nations as the statutory basis for ending TPS designations originally granted in the aftermath of natural disasters in the late 1990s. The decision marks a significant policy move with important implications for Honduran and Nicaraguan communities in the United States.

TPS for Honduras Ending After 27 Years

Honduras was designated for TPS in 1999 following the devastation of Hurricane Mitch in 1998. The new announcement declares that this designation will be terminated 60 days after the upcoming Federal Register notice.

According to Secretary Noem, Honduras has “taken all of the necessary steps to overcome the impacts of Hurricane Mitch,” with the country's government providing economic and food assistance programs, labor integration, and job training to returning citizens.

DHS is offering assistance to Hondurans preparing to depart, including:

• Use of the CBP Home app to report departure securely.

• A complimentary plane ticket.

• A $1,000 exit bonus to aid resettlement.

• Preservation of future legal immigration opportunities for those who comply.

While DHS emphasizes that TPS was always intended as a temporary humanitarian measure, this decision will deeply affect thousands of Hondurans who have lived and built families in the U.S. since the late 1990s.

TPS for Nicaragua Also Ending

Similarly, TPS for Nicaraguan nationals—also first designated in 1999—will terminate 60 days after its publication in the Federal Register. DHS justified the decision by concluding that the conditions resulting from the original natural disaster “no longer exist,” and the environmental situation has improved enough to allow safe return.

A DHS spokesperson described the move as necessary to “restore integrity in our immigration system and ensure that TPS remains temporary.”

Departing Nicaraguan nationals will also be offered:

• A free plane ticket.

• A $1,000 exit bonus.

• Access to the CBP Home app to facilitate secure, documented departure.

• The possibility of preserving eligibility for future legal immigration.

Implications for TPS Holders

For the Honduran and Nicaraguan communities in the United States, these terminations represent the end of a legal status that has allowed work authorization and protection from deportation for more than 25 years. Many TPS holders have U.S.-born children, own homes, and have deep roots in American communities.

Immigration advocates warn that ending TPS could result in mass family separations and disrupt local economies where TPS holders are essential workers. Legal challenges to similar terminations in the past have delayed or blocked removals—but it remains to be seen how these latest decisions will be implemented.

Our Advice at Saluja Law

If you or a loved one is affected by these announcements:

Act quickly: Watch for the Federal Register notice that will start the 60-day countdown.

Review your options: Some TPS holders may qualify for other forms of relief, such as family-based adjustment of status, asylum (if new fears of return exist), or other humanitarian visas.

Maintain legal records: Use the CBP Home app as recommended if departing, to help preserve future immigration eligibility.

Seek legal counsel: Navigating this transition requires understanding your rights and potential paths to remain lawfully in the U.S.

At Saluja Law, we stand ready to help TPS holders and their families understand their options and plan their next steps.

Contact us today for a consultation if you're impacted by these changes.