Big change has come, as the United States government through the DHS took the decision of ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for people from Nepal. With this decision which takes effect August 5, 2025, thousands of Nepali immigrants living in the U.S. under the program will be affected. After the earthquake in Nepal in 2015, TPS was granted, allowing these people to work legally and keep them from being deported. This revocation is important for U.S. immigration, as it underlines current changes happening in the country.
/*Background and Rationale for Termination*/
Due to the major earthquake in 2015, Nepal was classified under TPS in order to avoid immediate return. The U.S. government continued the review of this status regularly, deciding to extend it according to the pace of Nepal’s recovery. Nevertheless, following advice from other U.S. government agencies, the DHS has decided that things in Nepal have changed enough for the time being. The notice in the Federal Register specifies that Nepal has improved its disaster response and recovery and so it no longer qualifies for TPS protection.
/*Implications for Nepali TPS Holders*/
Nearly 12,700 Nepalis are in TPS and out of these, about 5,500 have become permanent residents of the United States. People under the status have until August to either change their immigration status or plan to leave the U.S. If these procedures aren’t fulfilled, someone may not be able to work and could be threatened with deportation. The agency has made sure that some EADs, given before July 29, 2022, last until August 5, 2025.
/*Broader Context of U.S. Immigration Policy*/
This move matches the current administration’s general directive to reconsider and sometimes remove TPS for several states. As a result of this policy shift, people have brought legal claims and asked about America’s responsibility to others. Critics say that immediate discontinuation of TPS disturbs communities and fails to consider issues in sending countries. People in favor argue that TPS was never created to be in place indefinitely and that its continued use is out of its intended purpose.
/*Response from the Nepali Community and Advocates*/
Leaders in the Nepali immigrant community are very concerned about the DHS ruling. TPS holders have settled in the U.S. and made a difference in the country’s economy and society. Groups supporting TPS want Congress to consider laws that would give TPS beneficiaries who have been in the country a long time access to permanent residency. At this moment, the embassy has not provided an official statement, but it is expected to give assistance to the affected community in the coming weeks.