Trump Administration to End TPS for Nepal, Effective June 24, 2019

On April 26, 2018, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the temporary protected status (TPS) designation for certain nationals of Nepal will be terminated as of June 24, 2019. Since taking office in January 2017, President Trump has taken steps to terminate TPS designations for nationals of more than a half-dozen countries, including Haiti, El Salvador, Sierra Leone, and Nicaragua.

Background on TPS

TPS allows nationals of designated countries who are in the United States to remain in the country for a specified period, due to conditions in their respective home countries that would prevent a safe return. The types of conditions that can give rise to a TPS designation include armed conflicts, environmental disasters, epidemics, earthquakes, and other extraordinary, temporary conditions. Individuals who are granted TPS are protected against removal (deportation) from the United States, and are eligible to apply for work and travel authorization. The TPS period is temporary, and does not lead to a permanent immigration status.

TPS Designation for Nepal

Nepal was granted TPS by President Obama in April 2015, following a massive earthquake that decimated much of the country. Recovery has been slow, and reports from nongovernment organizations (NGOs) has found that many in the country still lack access to basic necessities, such as clean water and adequate shelter. The Trump Administration, however, says that the problems caused by the earthquake have “… decreased to a degree that they should no longer be regarded as substantial” and hence the TPS designation for nationals of Nepal would no longer apply from June 2019 onward.

Conclusion

The termination of the TPS designation for Nepal comes as bleak news for the approximately 9,000 Nepali nationals currently enrolled in the program. These individuals have a little more than a year to either depart the U.S. or find some other means to remain in the country legally.

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