(WASHINGTON) – The United States has announced it will end the Temporary Protected Status designation for South Sudanese nationals. The Department of Homeland Security made the decision on November 6, 2025, with the change taking effect on January 5, 2026.
Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, has allowed thousands of South Sudanese people to live and work legally in the U.S. while avoiding deportation due to conflict and instability in their home country. South Sudan was first granted TPS in 2011, the year it became independent. The protection has been renewed in 18-month periods since then.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that conditions in South Sudan no longer meet the requirements for TPS. This decision followed consultations with other U.S. government agencies. The move is part of a wider shift in U.S. immigration policy to end temporary protections for large groups from multiple nations.
The U.S. has introduced a policy to help those leaving the country. South Sudanese nationals can use a mobile app from Customs and Border Protection to report their departure. They may then receive benefits including a free plane ticket and a $1,000 exit bonus. There may also be future opportunities to apply for other legal immigration options.
The TPS termination affects thousands of South Sudanese living in the U.S., many of whom fled years of civil war and ongoing instability. Analysts note that South Sudan’s 2018 peace deal is slowly unraveling after key political arrests, making the end of TPS a significant challenge for those planning to return home.
Affected individuals and families are now preparing for the January 2026 deadline. The U.S. government encourages departures to be coordinated, with incentives designed to support an orderly process.
TPS Termination Summary
| Item | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| TPS Status | Ending January 5, 2026 | Affects South Sudanese nationals |
| Duration of TPS | Since 2011 | Renewed in 18-month periods |
| Number of people affected | Estimated thousands | Exact figures vary by source |
| Departure Incentives | $1,000 bonus + plane ticket | Reported via CBP mobile app |
| Reason for termination | Conditions in South Sudan no longer meet TPS requirements | Based on DHS review and interagency consultation |
| Next steps | Eligible to report departure, possible future immigration options | Individuals must prepare to leave by January deadline |
