EXCLUSIVE: DHS Strips Deportation Protections From Yemenis, Orders Them To Return Home

The Department of Homeland Security has revoked deportation protections for Yemenis living in the United States, ordering them to return home, according to a draft press release obtained by the Daily Caller.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced Friday that Yemen no longer meets the statutory requirements for Temporary Protected Status after a department review of conditions in the country. She said ending the designation would protect national security interests while returning the program to its original temporary intent. (RELATED: Trump Freezes All Immigration From Somalia Amid Massive Fraud Scandal)

“Allowing TPS Yemen beneficiaries to remain temporarily in the United States is contrary to our national interest,” Noem wrote. “We are prioritizing our national security interests and putting America first.”

The decision affects approximately 2,810 current TPS holders and another 425 with pending applications.

A win for the rule of law and vindication for the US Constitution. Under the previous administration, Temporary Protected Status was abused to allow violent terrorists, criminals, and national security threats into our nation.

TPS was never designed to be permanent, yet… pic.twitter.com/3t8rDiUcvz

— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) February 9, 2026

The move is the latest in a series of TPS terminations by the Trump administration. DHS ended protections for Somali nationals in January amid a fraud scandal in which some diaspora — particularly in Minnesota — have been accused of stealing millions in taxpayer dollars. In November, the department revoked status for South Sudanese nationals — some of whom face deportation after more than 14 years.

A country qualifies for TPS if it meets one of three statutory criteria: ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or extraordinary and temporary conditions.

“Temporary” Protected Status for 61,000 immigrants.

Hondurans and Nicaraguans were granted protection after a 1999 hurricane. Nepalese were granted protected status in 2015.

Temporary doesn’t mean decades.

Time to go home. pic.twitter.com/iXYj0MS1X5

— Adam Johnston (@adamkjohnston) February 10, 2026

Yemen was designated in September 2015 after officials determined armed conflict made it unsafe for nationals to return. The designation is set to expire on March 3. Federal law requires DHS to review a country’s TPS status at least 60 days before expiration; Noem determined Yemen no longer qualified ahead of that deadline.

Yemeni TPS holders with no other lawful basis for remaining in the U.S. have 60 days from the Federal Register notice to voluntarily depart. After that window closes, DHS will have authority to arrest and deport those who remain without lawful status. (RELATED: Biden-Appointed Judge Blocks Trump Admin From Ending Deportation Protections For Haitians)

DHS is encouraging departing Yemenis to use the CBP Home app to report their exit. The app offers a free plane ticket, a $2,600 departure stipend, and the possibility of future legal immigration opportunities.