A federal court order has temporarily halted the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali nationals, offering a reprieve for thousands of Somali residents in Minnesota who faced the prospect of losing their legal immigration status, work authorization, and protection from deportation.
The TPS designation for Somalia had been set to expire on March 17. Under the court order, individuals who hold TPS or have pending TPS applications retain all their legal rights and protections while the pause is in effect. Somali TPS now remains valid pending further court action.
“According to the court order, people with TPS or pending TPS applications keep all their rights and protections during the pause.”
The City of Minneapolis’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) is directing community members to minneapolismn.gov/OIRA for details and updates as the legal situation continues to evolve.
What affected community members should do
Despite the temporary reprieve, legal advocates and city officials are urging Somali TPS holders not to wait. Immigration attorneys recommend that individuals use this window to consult with a licensed attorney or Department of Justice accredited representative to assess their specific situations, stay informed about ongoing litigation, and explore other legal options — including asylum — that may provide longer-term protection.
The City is also warning the community about immigration scams that frequently target people seeking legal help during periods of uncertainty. Only licensed attorneys or DOJ-accredited representatives should be trusted with immigration matters. In the United States, notaries are not attorneys and cannot legally provide immigration advice or file paperwork.
Red flags for immigration scams include promises to speed up a case, demands for payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cash, pressure to sign blank or incomplete forms, and unsolicited outreach via social media.
