BREAKING: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is set to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of South Sudan, ending over a decade of protection for approximately 5,000 South Sudanese individuals living in the United States. This urgent decision, confirmed by DHS officials, is expected to be published in the Federal Register later this week, initiating a 60-day grace period for affected individuals to leave the country before facing deportation.
The announcement comes amid alarming warnings from the United Nations and humanitarian organizations, which caution that South Sudan is on the verge of slipping back into open conflict. Despite these concerns, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem points to the end of armed conflict and improved diplomatic relations as reasons for ending TPS, claiming that continuing the designation would be “contrary” to U.S. interests.
The current TPS designation, which has protected South Sudanese nationals since the country gained independence in 2011, is set to lapse on November 3, 2025. Under TPS, these individuals have been shielded from deportation and allowed to work legally in the U.S., a lifeline during years of chaos and instability in South Sudan.
While DHS argues that conditions in South Sudan have improved, many humanitarian experts warn that the situation remains fragile. The U.S. State Department maintains a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for the country due to ongoing violence, crime, and kidnappings. The Council on Foreign Relations reports that armed clashes continue among government troops and opposition forces, leading to civilian casualties and displacement.
The U.N. has documented widespread human rights abuses, including child soldier recruitment and sexual violence. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk expressed deep concerns about the potential collapse of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, stating, “I deeply worry for the plight of civilians in South Sudan.”
As the TPS termination date approaches, DHS urges South Sudanese nationals to consider voluntary departure, promoting the CBP Home mobile app as a means for a “safe, secure” exit. The app offers a complimentary plane ticket, an exit bonus of $1,000, and potential pathways for future legal immigration to the U.S., though specifics remain unclear.
This significant policy shift marks a new chapter in U.S.-South Sudan relations, as humanitarian groups fear that the decision to end TPS could exacerbate an already volatile situation for those forced to return. With nearly 9 million people in South Sudan requiring humanitarian assistance and 7.7 million facing acute food insecurity, the implications of this decision are dire.
What to watch for: As DHS moves forward with the termination, the international community will be observing the impact on South Sudanese nationals and the evolving situation in South Sudan itself. The potential for renewed violence and instability poses serious questions about the safety and well-being of those forced to return to a country still recovering from years of conflict. Share this urgent update to inform others about the critical developments affecting South Sudanese nationals in the U.S.
