A federal appeals court has cleared the way for the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, for people from Nepal, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The ruling affects more than 61,000 immigrants nationwide — including thousands of families living in Houston.
EN ESPANOL: Madre en Houston teme deportación tras fallo que pone fin a protecciones de TPS para Nicaragua y Honduras
What is TPS?
TPS was created by Congress in 1990 to provide temporary protection from deportation for immigrants whose home countries were struck by war, natural disasters, or other humanitarian crises.
It was granted to Hondurans and Nicaraguans in 1999 after Hurricane Mitch killed more than 11,000 people and displaced millions across Central America. Nepal received the designation in 2015 following a catastrophic earthquake that killed nearly 9,000 people and left hundreds of thousands homeless.
TPS allows recipients to live and work legally in the United States, but it does not create a path to permanent residency or citizenship. Instead, protections are issued in 18-month extensions.
Unless another court intervenes, TPS for Honduras and Nicaragua will officially end on Sept. 6.
Carolina’s story
For Carolina, a Nicaraguan immigrant who has lived in Houston for more than two decades, the ruling feels like a life-altering blow.
We are not using her real name or showing her face because she fears retaliation from the Nicaraguan government if she is forced to return.
Carolina came to Houston months after Hurricane Mitch, hoping to rebuild her life and support her family. Since then, she has worked legally under TPS, married, and raised children who are all American citizens.
“It’s a very painful situation for us, because it would be like separating many families whose children were practically born in this country,” she said.
If deported, Carolina says she would not take her children with her, since they have their lives and education rooted in Houston.
“I would go alone, honestly, because my children already have their life here.”
Beyond family separation, Carolina also fears political persecution if forced to return.
“I would be scared to go back, because I fear I could be persecuted politically, even though I personally wasn’t involved, people connected to me were,” she explained.
She added that many immigrants she knows have endured hardship to build better lives in Houston.
“It hurts me to see the people who have come to this country… they have gone through so many painful things, so many painful things just to be here.”
How Houston is affected
Houston is home to the largest Honduran community in the United States and one of the largest Nicaraguan populations as well. Many TPS holders here have lived in the city for decades, contributing to industries such as construction, hospitality, and small businesses.
Immigration advocates warn that ending TPS will not only impact families but also ripple through Houston’s economy. From rebuilding after hurricanes to staffing essential services, TPS holders are part of the workforce that keeps the city running.
The lawsuit over TPS
The National TPS Alliance has filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), challenging the termination of TPS for Honduras, Nicaragua, and Nepal.
The case — National TPS Alliance v. Kristi Noem — was filed on July 7, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
The lawsuit argues that DHS’s decision was unlawful on several grounds:
- Violation of the Administrative Procedure Act: Plaintiffs say the termination was arbitrary and capricious, lacking a proper legal basis.
- Racial animus: The suit contends the move was racially motivated and violates the Fifth Amendment’s equal protection clause.
- Impact on families: More than 60,000 TPS holders from the three countries would lose legal residency and work authorization, despite having built lives and raised children in the U.S.
Although a federal judge initially postponed the termination, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals lifted that order, leaving families like Carolina’s uncertain about their future.
Attorney advice
Immigration attorney Priscilla Mendoza says families in Houston are scrambling to figure out their next steps.
“They’re worried. They don’t know what their future looks like here in the United States. They’ve been here for more than 20 years, almost 30. They’ve built lives here, and they have children here. It’s not so easy for them to just pick up their stuff and leave,” Mendoza said.
She urges TPS holders to take three immediate steps:
- Consult with an immigration attorney to see if other legal pathways — such as family petitions, employment visas, or asylum — might apply.
- Make a plan for U.S.-born children in case of deportation, including custody and guardianship arrangements.
- Stay informed through organizations like the National TPS Alliance, which continues to lead the legal fight against the termination.
Mendoza cautions that while other options exist, they are often long, costly, and uncertain.
What’s next
Unless another court intervenes, TPS for Honduras and Nicaragua will expire Sept. 6.
Families in Houston say they are preparing for the worst while holding on to hope that Congress or the courts will deliver a permanent solution.