US ends temporary protected status for Yemeni refugees, asylum seekers
Al Jazeera
February 14, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The United States has ended the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Yemeni refugees and asylum seekers, marking another step in President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that Yemen no longer meets the criteria for TPS, despite ongoing conflict and instability in the country. This decision impacts over 1,000 Yemenis living in the U.S., who now face a 60-day deadline to leave or risk arrest and deportation. The Trump administration has consistently targeted vulnerable populations, revoking TPS for nationals from countries including Venezuela, Haiti, Myanmar, and Nicaragua.
TPS was initially granted to Yemeni nationals in September 2015 due to the armed conflict and humanitarian crisis in their home country. The status allowed them to live and work legally in the U.S., but Noem argued that it is no longer in the national interest to maintain this protection. She described the revocation as an act of “putting America first,” despite Yemen’s continued instability, with the State Department still advising against travel to the country due to terrorism, unrest, and other dangers.
The move reflects a broader pattern of the Trump administration’s restrictive immigration policies, particularly toward Muslim-majority nations. In addition to ending TPS for Yemenis, the government has imposed strict travel bans on citizens from 19 countries, many of which are predominantly Muslim or African. While the U.S. offers a voluntary departure program with financial incentives for those who leave willingly, critics argue that this approach disregards the ongoing risks faced by Yemeni nationals if they return home.
This decision raises concerns about forced migration and humanitarian protections in conflict zones. Advocacy groups have criticized the move as putting vulnerable individuals at further risk, both in the U.S. and upon their return to Yemen. The revocation of TPS for Yemenis comes amid a broader global conversation about refugee rights
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/14/2026