Rep. Rashida Tlaib is leading a group of more than 20 House Democrats in urging the Trump administration to reverse its decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Yemen, warning that doing so could put thousands at risk of deportation to a war-torn country.
In a post on X, Tlaib pointed to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Yemen, calling for the administration to both extend and redesignate TPS protections. “Yemeni TPS holders are integral members of our communities,” she wrote. “Revoking it would put these families in immediate danger.”
Tlaib and 23 other lawmakers sent a formal letter to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, arguing that the Department of Homeland Security’s February decision to terminate Yemen’s TPS designation does not reflect current conditions on the ground. The lawmakers said approximately 1,380 Yemeni nationals currently protected under TPS could be put in danger if the policy change proceeds when the designation expires on May 4.
The letter emphasizes that many Yemeni TPS holders have built lives in the United States, including families and careers, and would face severe risks if forced to return. Lawmakers described the humanitarian situation in Yemen as one of the worst in the world, citing ongoing conflict, infrastructure damage, and civilian casualties.
They also pointed to recent military developments, stating that conditions have worsened amid continued instability and external involvement in the conflict. Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement has also contributed to tensions in the region during the Iran War, threatening renewed attacks on Red Sea shipping routes. Such actions would likely disrupt global trade and increase economic volatility.
“The United States cannot, in good faith, send our neighbors back to these extremely dangerous conditions,” the lawmakers wrote, describing TPS holders as “our friends, our family members, our coworkers, and our neighbors” across states including Michigan, Florida, New York, and California.
The Trump administration announced in February that it would end TPS for Yemen, arguing that the country no longer meets the statutory requirements for the designation. The Department of Homeland Security stated that between 2,000 and 4,000 Yemenis without another legal status could lose their protections. Officials also said those affected would be given a 60-day period to leave the country voluntarily or face enforcement action from immigration authorities.
TPS for Yemen was first granted during the Obama administration in 2015 and has been extended multiple times by subsequent administrations, under both Trump and Biden.
Supporters of ending the designation argue that TPS is intended to be temporary and should not become a long-term or indefinite immigration pathway. They also emphasize the importance of enforcing immigration laws and maintaining consistent standards for eligibility.
The push to preserve TPS for Yemen comes amid broader debates over the program’s future. Lawmakers, including Ayanna Pressley, have also advocated for extending protections for other groups, such as Haitian migrants.
The Supreme Court of the United States is expected to hear arguments later this month over whether the administration can end TPS protections for hundreds of thousands of migrants from countries including Haiti and Syria, and will have significant implications for immigration policy nationwide.
As the May deadline approaches, the administration faces mounting pressure from lawmakers and advocacy groups, while also navigating legal, political, and humanitarian considerations that continue to shape the future of the TPS program.
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Are they real Americans ( legal )? Do they contribute to the betterment of this country ( do they have jobs and are not on welfare )?
Can they be trusted to not cause legal trouble while in this country? Did they learn the English language?
These are some of the questions that must be answered.