Updated 2/3/2026
There are two pieces of immigration policy news that will affect Muslim immigrant communities in Washington. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalis is now ending on March 17, 2026, and the State Department paused issuing visas to many countries. Temporary visas like tourist and student visas are not impacted. Visa interviews and visa processing is continuing to happen.
TPS FOR SOMALIA
The Trump administration through DHS Secretary Kristi Noem issued a notice terminating TPS for Somalia effective March 17, 2026.
This is part of a continued effort by this administration to limit legal pathways for immigrants.
What does this mean?
Anyone who has Temporary Protected Status from Somalia will no longer have valid status after March 17, 2026, and TPS will no longer be valid as a status. It is not being reauthorized or extended by the government. Please find additional information here: https://asaptogether.org/en/temporary-protected-status/
The administration will also not be extending work permission beyond March 17, 2026.
What can you do?
If you have TPS from Somalia, speak with an attorney to determine what options are available to you.
Pause on visas
The Department of State paused issuing visas to countries they view as high risk of unlawfully utilizing welfare. Temporary visas like tourist and student visas are not impacted. Visa interviews and visa processing is continuing to happen however no visas are being granted during this pause. This policy is currently being challenged by a lawsuit.
The reported list of countries is:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Yemen.