Key facts
- Migrants on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in the U.S. must either apply for permanent residency or leave the country, according to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.
- Mullin stated that the administration would assist individuals in returning to their home countries if they do not pursue permanent status.
- TPS does not automatically lead to lawful permanent resident status, but beneficiaries can apply for other immigration benefits.
- TPS designations have been politically contentious, with different administrations altering their application and termination.
- Legal challenges have been filed against the termination of TPS for several countries, with some court rulings finding terminations unlawful.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has stated that migrants currently in the United States under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) must either pursue permanent residency or make arrangements to return to their home countries. Mullin articulated this position during an interview on CNN's 'State of the Union,' emphasizing that individuals need to resolve their immigration status.
He indicated that the administration would assist those who do not secure permanent status in returning to their countries of origin. While TPS provides protection from deportation for individuals from designated countries experiencing conflict or disaster, it does not automatically grant lawful permanent resident status. However, TPS beneficiaries are permitted to apply for asylum or explore other pathways to obtain permanent residency.
The use and termination of TPS designations have historically been influenced by differing immigration policies between presidential administrations. The Biden administration has expanded TPS to new countries and rescinded some previous terminations, while the Trump administration has focused on terminating or not renewing existing designations. These decisions have frequently led to legal challenges, with some court rulings finding the termination of TPS for certain countries unlawful. The Department of Homeland Security is currently evaluating its next steps in response to these legal outcomes.