Deportation Program Termination: Thousands of Hondurans Lack Immigration Options Before July 5th
In a significant development, Hondurans with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) are facing the end of their protected status as of July 5, 2025, with no announced extension from the U.S. government as of early July 2025. This means TPS recipients will lose their stay of deportation and work authorization unless the government grants an extension or some other form of relief.
The TPS designation for Honduras was initially granted in 1999 due to an environmental disaster, and it was extended for 18 months in 2023 by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). However, with the expiration date approaching, TPS holders are left in a precarious position.
Current options for Hondurans with TPS facing deportation after July 5, 2025, include:
1. Awaiting government decision: If no extension or new TPS designation is announced by the government, TPS protections end, and individuals are at risk of deportation. An automatic six-month extension may take effect if no response is given, but this is temporary.
2. Advance parole: While TPS holders can apply for advance parole to travel and re-enter the U.S., new stricter DHS guidance as of January 2025 makes re-entry riskier, with potential termination of parole and uncertain re-entry, especially affecting TPS and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients.
3. Return to previous status or face removal: Once TPS is terminated, individuals revert to their prior immigration status, which often means undocumented status and exposure to deportation unless they have obtained another lawful status during their TPS period.
Other legal routes Hondurans could consider to remain in the U.S. include:
1. Apply for other immigration benefits: TPS itself does not provide a path to lawful permanent residence (green card) or citizenship, but having TPS does not prevent applying for other statuses if eligible, such as asylum, family-based petitions, or employment-based visas.
2. Asylum: If eligible, Hondurans can apply for asylum based on fear of persecution or harm in their home country. Asylum must be applied for within one year of entry unless exceptions apply.
3. Family-based immigration: Some may qualify to adjust status if they have close family members who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents able to petition for them.
4. Employment-based visas: In rare cases, individuals might qualify for employment-based visas if they have employer sponsorship and meet criteria.
5. Consular processing: To adjust status to lawful permanent residency, individuals generally must leave the U.S. and apply through their country’s consulate abroad, which can be risky and complicated if they lack lawful status.
In light of these challenges, Honduran President Xiomara Castro recently asked U.S. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to extend the TPS status for around 55,000 Hondurans residing in the U.S. Immigration attorney Elizabeth Uribe also suggested that those affected by the end of TPS for Hondurans may consider filing an asylum application.
As the deadline approaches, it is crucial for TPS holders to stay informed, seek legal advice, and explore all available options to ensure their continued presence in the U.S. legal system. The landscape remains uncertain and challenging, requiring close attention to government announcements and possibly legal counsel to explore individual pathways to remain legally in the U.S.
In the current political climate, the impending loss of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Hondurans could lead to significant changes in general news, especially with regards to their potential deportation and the potential effects on families and communities. Furthermore, as a result of the upcoming termination of TPS, many Hondurans may be forced to consider alternative immigration routes such as asylum applications or family-based immigration, highlighting the broader scope of politics and immigration policies.
