However, as of July 5, 2025, that lifeline is set to be cut. This past Saturday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officially announced that TPS for nationals of Nicaragua and Honduras will come to an end. The decision, driven by the hardline immigration policies of President Trump’s administration and backed by conservative lawmakers, now places thousands of long-time residents in a precarious legal position—stripping away their status and leaving them vulnerable to potential deportation.
In this article, our team of immigration attorneys in Virginia will break down what this measure truly means and how it directly affects the Honduran and Nicaraguan communities. If you’ve been searching for reliable news on TPS, you’ll find up-to-date, trustworthy insight here. And while this kind of decision can feel devastating, there are still legal options available. With the right support and legal guidance, hope doesn’t have to disappear—even when everything seems to change overnight, especially for those left without information or direction.
TPS for Nicaragua and TPS for Honduras
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is an immigration designation granted by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to nationals of foreign countries when conditions in their home country prevent their safe return. TPS may be granted to individuals from designated countries—or specific regions within them—who are already present in the United States. It can also apply to individuals without a designated nationality whose last habitual residence was in a TPS-designated country.
This protection can be granted under one or more of the following circumstances: an ongoing armed conflict, such as a civil war; a natural disaster, such as an earthquake, hurricane, or epidemic; or other extraordinary and temporary conditions that make return unsafe.
While under TPS, beneficiaries are legally allowed to remain in the United States without fear of deportation. They may also apply for work authorization and permission to travel. Although TPS is a temporary measure and does not lead to lawful permanent resident status on its own, it does not prevent recipients from applying for other immigration statuses, filing for adjustment of status based on an existing petition, or seeking any other immigration benefit for which they may qualify.
2. Why Were Honduras and Nicaragua Granted TPS?
In 1998, Hurricane Mitch—one of the most devastating natural disasters in Latin American history—struck Honduras and Nicaragua with overwhelming force. The storm left thousands dead, destroyed critical infrastructure, and displaced entire communities, forcing many to migrate. In response to this humanitarian crisis, the United States granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to nationals from both countries in 1999, recognizing that conditions back home were unsafe and unfit for repatriation.
For over two decades, TPS was renewed periodically as successive U.S. administrations acknowledged the persistent structural challenges in both nations—widespread poverty, violence, and institutional instability—that posed serious risks to returnees. Thanks to this measure, an estimated 70,000 Honduran and Nicaraguan families were able to build lives in the United States, working legally, raising children—many of whom are U.S. citizens—and contributing to their communities.
However, a major shift occurred in 2017. Under the administration of President Donald Trump, known for its hardline approach to immigration, the U.S. government began dismantling the legal protections of hundreds of thousands of long-term residents, including those who had lived and worked legally in the country for decades. Nicaragua and Honduras joined a growing list of countries—including Venezuela and Haiti—whose nationals saw their TPS designations revoked. (Click here to read more about TPS for Venezuela.)
In the latest announcement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding the end of TPS, officials claimed that Honduras has taken the necessary steps to recover from the impact of Hurricane Mitch, and that the conditions caused by Nicaragua’s 1999 natural disaster no longer exist. The statement also praised Honduras as “an exemplary partner” of the Trump administration and revealed the launch of a voluntary return program that includes free airfare and a $1,000 stipend for those who choose to repatriate. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), “no TPS designation was ever intended to last a quarter of a century,” underscoring that this decision is final and part of a broader push to encourage self-deportation.
3. Honduras and Nicaragua Today: What Changed in 2025?
While the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claims that conditions in both countries are now safe enough to justify ending Temporary Protected Status after more than 20 years, numerous experts and organizations have highlighted the ongoing political instability in Honduras and Nicaragua.
In Nicaragua, for instance, President Daniel Ortega’s government has repeatedly been accused of severe human rights violations, including arbitrary detentions and acts of torture. Ortega has criminalized political opposition, human rights defenders, and religious leaders—many of whom have been forced into exile amid a wave of violent repression. Since 2018, over 600,000 Nicaraguans have fled the country, seeking refuge abroad. The crackdown has not only left a toll of deaths and injuries, but also created a growing diaspora driven by fear and insecurity.
In Honduras, political analyst Lawrence Higgins has raised alarms about the continued presence of gang-related violence. Criminal organizations often extort local communities by charging so-called “war taxes” in exchange for protection. At the same time, prolonged droughts are devastating Honduras’s agricultural sector, pushing many farmers to flee the country and join the ranks of what experts now call climate refugees.
Given these realities, many believe the DHS’s justification for ending TPS lacks credible validation of the actual conditions on the ground. In fact, the Florida Immigrant Coalition responded with a statement warning that terminating TPS would devastate thousands of families who have spent the past two decades building lives in the United States—especially in Florida—raising children, working hard, and actively contributing to their local communities.
If you or a loved one feel at risk because of this policy shift, we urge you to speak with one of our immigration lawyers in virginia as soon as possible.
4. What Is the Impact on Immigrant Communities?
Beyond the legal and administrative implications of ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS)—which now leaves more than 70,000 individuals vulnerable to possible deportation—the most profound and lasting consequence is the potential separation of families who have put down deep roots in the United States over the past two decades. We're talking about parents with U.S.-born children, stable jobs, and years of contributing to the nation’s tax base and social fabric. The threat of deporting these parents creates a traumatic reality for both adults and minors, who could end up in state custody or be forced to relocate to countries they’ve never known—under conditions that, as discussed earlier, are far from ideal.
This policy also delivers a direct blow to economic stability. Many TPS recipients have been legally employed for years, accessing essential services, supporting local economies, and in numerous cases, buying homes. Ending their legal status not only fuels fear and anxiety within immigrant communities—it also puts schools, churches, and small businesses that rely on the labor of Honduran and Nicaraguan immigrants in a precarious position.
Understandably, many individuals have opted to remain in the shadows out of fear of being targeted. However, at Tingen Law, we recognize the growing momentum of community-led resistance. Faith leaders, local organizers, and immigration attorneys are actively working to bring these stories to light and to advocate for permanent solutions—ones that honor the rights and dignity of everyone involved.
5. What Can I Do If I Lost My TPS?
At Tingen Law, we know that every case is more than just a number. It’s a face, a family, a story, and a legacy we are deeply committed to protecting. Our mission is to provide clear, compassionate, and honest legal support—and to continue fighting for the future of immigrant communities across the United States.
If you've been affected by the end of TPS, you should know that there are still legal avenues available to help you regularize your immigration status:
Family-Based Adjustment of Status
If you have a U.S. citizen spouse or parent—or children who are U.S. citizens and over the age of 21—you may qualify to apply for adjustment of status and obtain permanent residency.
Political Asylum
If returning to your home country would expose you to serious danger due to political persecution, gang violence, discrimination, or threats to your safety, you may be eligible to apply for asylum. While asylum is typically requested within the first year of entering the country, the termination of TPS could be considered a “changed circumstance” that reopens your legal window.
Alternative Work Permits
You may still qualify for a work permit under other immigration categories while your case is under review. These include pending asylum applications, family-based petitions, or special humanitarian protections such as VAWA, SIJS (for minors), or others.
👉 On our website, we’ve published a free step-by-step guide that explains how to legally work in the U.S., even if you’re currently facing deportation proceedings. You can access it here.
Cancellation of Removal
If you’ve lived in the U.S. for more than 10 years, have demonstrated good moral character, and can prove that your deportation would cause extreme hardship to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family member (such as your spouse or child), you may be eligible for cancellation of removal before an immigration judge. While this process can be complex, it may result in permanent residency.
6. TPS Ended for Hondurans and Nicaraguans—What Now?
With the termination of TPS for both countries, you may be urgently asking yourself: What can I do now? And while the situation is undeniably difficult, one thing is certain—you are not alone, and there are still legal paths forward.
At Tingen Law, we don’t just provide legal representation. We take the time to equip our clients with more than just basic information—through downloadable guides, in-depth articles, real-time updates, and ongoing legal support designed to help you make fully informed decisions.
With over 10 years of experience, we know that preparation is the key to turning uncertainty into stability. So if you—or a loved one—are from Honduras or Nicaragua and currently protected under TPS, we strongly encourage you to act now. Schedule a consultation with one of our immigration attorneys in Virginia—we work with clients nationwide—and let’s start building your action plan to protect your future in the United States.
Conclusion
The sudden and extreme decision to end TPS for Hondurans and Nicaraguans, after more than two decades of protection, is more than just the end of a temporary immigration policy—it’s a clear sign of the escalating harshness of U.S. immigration law.
This decision directly threatens the lives and families of people who have built their futures in this country. We’re talking about parents, workers, students, and dreamers—people who have contributed to American society for years, and now, due to a policy shift, face the very real fear of losing everything they’ve worked so hard to create.
But this can also be a turning point—an opportunity to reassess your legal tools, seek guidance, and take swift, informed action. Even as immigration policies continue to evolve, there’s still time to protect your voice, your story, and your right to stay.
At Tingen Law, we understand that every case is unique. That’s why we offer honest, personalized, and compassionate legal counsel—from the first call to the final outcome. Our mission is to help you discover real options, navigate uncertain terrain with confidence, and face these challenges with the strength of experience on your side.
📞 Schedule your free consultation with our legal team today.
Remember: TPS may end, but your right to fight for a better future never will.
At Tingen Law, we stand with you.
To protect your story.
To defend your right to stay.
To help you keep moving forward.