U.S. Ends Somali TPS as Report Cites Pending Visa Freeze for 75 Countries Starting Jan. 21

Overview

• Homeland Security ended Temporary Protected Status for Somalia and set a March 17 deadline for affected Somalis to depart, citing improved conditions in the country.
• DHS posted on X that Somalis should return home or face deportation, underscoring the administration’s stance on restoring the program’s temporary nature.
• Fox News reported a State Department memo directing consular posts to pause visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, including Brazil, beginning Jan. 21 for an indefinite review of screening.
• The reported guidance emphasizes stricter ‘public charge’ assessments, weighing factors such as age, health, English proficiency, finances, and potential long-term care needs.
• The visa move had not been broadly confirmed publicly as of publication, with the U.S. Embassy in Brazil saying it had not received formal notification.