The US administration has announced the termination of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for thousands of Ethiopians residing in the United States. The decision has sparked considerable controversy both domestically and internationally.
Under the directive, revealed by the Department of Homeland Security, approximately 5,000 Ethiopians are required to leave US territory within 60 days or face arrest and deportation.
US authorities justified the move by stating that conditions in Ethiopia “no longer pose a significant threat” to returning individuals. They cited peace agreements signed in recent years, including a ceasefire in the Tigray region in 2022 and a December 2024 agreement in Oromia, as evidence of improved stability.
However, the US State Department continues to advise its citizens against traveling to Ethiopia, citing ongoing intermittent violence, civil unrest, and the risks of terrorism and kidnapping. This apparent contradiction in policy has fueled further debate.
This decision is part of a broader campaign to end TPS for hundreds of thousands of nationals from countries including Haiti, Venezuela, Somalia, and South Sudan. This trend has drawn sharp criticism, particularly in light of recent remarks targeting the Somali community and the deployment of additional immigration and customs enforcement personnel to Minnesota.
Adding to the complexity, the administration has initiated a program to resettle refugees from South Africa of white African descent, citing alleged “racial discrimination.” This initiative has been rejected by the South African government and some Afrikaners themselves.
Authorities have offered what they describe as a “free ticket” and a “$1,000 departure bonus” to those willing to leave voluntarily through a dedicated online application.
Experts warn that the decision could exacerbate the suffering of thousands of families, forcing them to choose between returning to areas that continue to face challenges and remaining in the US without legal status.
