US Ends Temporary Protected Status for Yemeni Migrants

Decision comes after 10 years of special immigration status for Yemenis in the US

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The US government announced on Friday that it is ending the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for migrants from Yemen, which had been in place for the past decade. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem stated that after reviewing conditions in Yemen, the country no longer meets the legal requirements to be designated for TPS.

Why it matters

The TPS program provides temporary legal status and work authorization for immigrants from countries affected by armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions. The decision to end TPS for Yemeni migrants comes as the country continues to grapple with an ongoing civil war, humanitarian crisis, and economic instability.

The details

TPS for Yemen was first designated in September 2015 due to the country's civil war and deteriorating humanitarian conditions. The program has allowed thousands of Yemeni nationals to legally live and work in the US during the conflict. However, the Department of Homeland Security has now determined that the situation in Yemen has improved enough to end the special immigration status.

  • TPS for Yemen was first designated in September 2015.
  • The US government announced the end of TPS for Yemeni migrants on February 14, 2026.

The players

Kristi Noem

The Secretary of Homeland Security who announced the end of TPS for Yemen.

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What they’re saying

“After reviewing conditions in the country and consulting with appropriate US government agencies, I determined that Yemen no longer meets the law's requirements to be designated for Temporary Protected Status”

— Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security

What’s next

The termination of TPS for Yemen will go into effect in 18 months, giving affected Yemeni nationals time to prepare to either depart the US or seek alternative immigration status.

The takeaway

The decision to end TPS for Yemen reflects the Biden administration's view that conditions in the country have improved enough to no longer warrant the special immigration status, despite the ongoing civil war and humanitarian crisis. This move will impact thousands of Yemeni migrants in the US who have relied on TPS to legally live and work in the country.