Noem stated that "temporary means temporary," and argued that allowing Somali nationals to remain in the U.S. was "contrary to our national interests." She added, "We are putting Americans first." The announcement came as the Trump administration also signaled its intention to revoke the U.S. citizenship of naturalized immigrants, including those from Somalia, convicted of fraud.

Temporary Protected Status is a designation granted to foreign nationals in the U.S. who are unable to return to their home countries due to ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions. The status provides recipients with work authorization and protection from deportation. The TPS program is governed by the Immigration and Nationality Act, which grants the Secretary of Homeland Security the authority to designate countries for TPS.

Critics condemned the administration's decision as a bigoted attack. Advocates for immigrants argued that Somalia continues to face significant challenges, including ongoing violence, political instability, and a humanitarian crisis. They also pointed out that many Somalis have established deep roots in the U.S., with families and jobs, and that ending their TPS would have devastating consequences.

The decision to terminate TPS for Somalis is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reduce immigration to the United States. The administration has ended TPS for several other countries, including El Salvador, Haiti, and Nicaragua. These decisions have been met with legal challenges, with some courts issuing injunctions to block the terminations. The future of TPS for Somalis and other affected nationalities remains uncertain, pending further legal action and potential policy changes.