Notice2025-22746
Termination of the Designation of Ethiopia for Temporary Protected Status
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
December 15, 2025
Effective
February 13, 2026
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Abstract
Through this notice, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announces that the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) is terminating the designation of Ethiopia for Temporary Protected Status. The designation of Ethiopia is set to expire on December 12, 2025. After reviewing country conditions and consulting with appropriate U.S. Government agencies, the Secretary determined that Ethiopia no longer continues to meet the conditions for the designation for Temporary Protected Status. The Secretary, therefore, is terminating the Temporary Protected Status designation of Ethiopia as required by statute. This termination is effective February 13, 2026. After February 13, 2026, nationals of Ethiopia (and aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Ethiopia) who have been granted Temporary Protected Status under Ethiopia's designation will no longer have Temporary Protected Status.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 238 (Monday, December 15, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 238 (Monday, December 15, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58028-58032]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-22746]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
[CIS No. 2842-26; DHS Docket No. USCIS-2022-0014]
RIN 1615-ZB96
Termination of the Designation of Ethiopia for Temporary
Protected Status
AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Department
of Homeland Security (DHS).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: Through this notice, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
announces that the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) is
terminating the designation of Ethiopia for Temporary Protected Status.
The designation of Ethiopia is set to expire on December 12, 2025.
After reviewing country conditions and consulting with appropriate U.S.
Government agencies, the Secretary determined that Ethiopia no longer
continues to meet the conditions for the designation for Temporary
Protected Status. The Secretary, therefore, is terminating the
Temporary Protected Status designation of Ethiopia as required by
statute. This termination is effective February 13, 2026. After
February 13, 2026, nationals of Ethiopia (and aliens having no
nationality who last habitually resided in Ethiopia) who have been
granted Temporary Protected Status under Ethiopia's designation will no
longer have Temporary Protected Status.
DATES: The designation of Ethiopia for Temporary Protected Status is
terminated, effective at 11:59 p.m., local time, on February 13, 2026.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Humanitarian Affairs Division, Office
of Policy and Strategy, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services,
Department of Homeland Security, (240) 721-3000.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
List of Abbreviations
CFR--Code of Federal Regulations
DHS--U.S. Department of Homeland Security
EAD--Employment Authorization Document
FR--Federal Register
FRN--Federal Register Notice
Government--U.S. Government
INA--Immigration and Nationality Act
Secretary--Secretary of Homeland Security
USCIS--U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
U.S.C.--United States Code
[[Page 58029]]
What is temporary protected status?
The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) authorizes the Secretary
of Homeland Security, after consultation with appropriate agencies of
the U.S. Government, to designate a foreign state (or part thereof) for
Temporary Protected Status if the Secretary determines that certain
country conditions exist. See INA sec. 244(b)(1), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1).
The Secretary, in her discretion, may grant Temporary Protected Status
to eligible nationals of that foreign state (or aliens having no
nationality who last habitually resided in the designated foreign
state). See INA sec. 244(a)(1)(A), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(a)(1)(A).
At least 60 days before the expiration of a foreign state's
Temporary Protected Status designation or extension, the Secretary--
after consultation with appropriate U.S. Government agencies--must
review the conditions in the foreign state designated for Temporary
Protected Status to determine whether the conditions for the Temporary
Protected Status designation continue to be met. See INA sec.
244(b)(3)(A), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(A). If the Secretary determines that
the conditions in the foreign state continue to meet the specific
statutory criteria for Temporary Protected Status designation,
Temporary Protected Status will be extended for an additional period of
6 months or, in the Secretary's discretion, 12 or 18 months. See INA
sec. 244(b)(3)(A), (C), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(A), (C). If the Secretary
determines that the foreign state no longer meets the conditions for
Temporary Protected Status designation, the Secretary must terminate
the designation. See INA sec. 244(b)(3)(B), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(B).
There is no judicial review of ``any determination of the [Secretary]
with respect to the designation, or termination or extension of a
designation of a foreign state'' for Temporary Protected Status. See
INA sec. 244(b)(5)(A), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(5)(A).
Temporary Protected Status is a temporary immigration benefit
granted to eligible nationals of a country designated for Temporary
Protected Status under the Immigration and Nationality Act, or to
eligible aliens without nationality who last habitually resided in the
designated country. During the designation period, Temporary Protected
Status beneficiaries are eligible to remain in the United States and
may not be removed so long as they continue to meet the requirements of
Temporary Protected Status. In addition, Temporary Protected Status
beneficiaries are authorized to work and obtain an Employment
Authorization Document (EAD). Temporary Protected Status beneficiaries
may also apply for and be granted travel authorization as a matter of
discretion. The granting of Temporary Protected Status does not result
in or lead to lawful permanent resident status or any other immigration
status.
To qualify for Temporary Protected Status, beneficiaries must meet
the eligibility standards at INA section 244(c)(2), 8 U.S.C.
1254a(c)(2) in accordance with the implementing regulations at 8 CFR
parts 244 and 1244. When the Secretary terminates a country's
designation, beneficiaries return to the same immigration status or
category that they maintained before Temporary Protected Status, if any
(unless that status or category has since expired or been terminated),
or any other lawfully obtained immigration status or category they
received while registered for Temporary Protected Status, as long as it
is still valid on the date Temporary Protected Status terminates.
Designation of Ethiopia for Temporary Protected Status
Ethiopia was initially designated for Temporary Protected Status on
December 12, 2022, based on ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary
and temporary conditions.\1\ In April 2024, former Secretary Mayorkas
extended Ethiopia's designation and newly designated Ethiopia for
Temporary Protected Status based on ongoing armed conflict and
extraordinary and temporary conditions.\2\
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\1\ Designation of Ethiopia for Temporary Protected Status, 87
FR 76074 (Dec. 12, 2022).
\2\ Extension and Redesignation of Ethiopia for Temporary
Protected Status, 89 FR 26172 (Apr. 15, 2024).
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Secretary's Authority To Terminate the Designation of Ethiopia for
Temporary Protected Status
At least 60 days before the expiration of a foreign state's
Temporary Protected Status designation or extension, the Secretary--
after consultation with appropriate U.S. Government agencies--must
review the conditions in the foreign state designated for Temporary
Protected Status to determine whether the country continues to meet the
conditions for the designation. See INA sec. 244(b)(3)(A), 8 U.S.C.
1254a(b)(3)(A). If the Secretary determines that the foreign state no
longer meets the conditions for the Temporary Protected Status
designation, the Secretary must terminate the designation. See INA sec.
244(b)(3)(B), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(B). The termination may not take
effect earlier than 60 days after the date the Federal Register notice
of termination is published, or if later, the expiration of the most
recent previous extension of the country designation. See id. The
Secretary may determine the appropriate effective date of the
termination and expiration of any Temporary Protected Status-related
documentation, such as Employment Authorization Documents, issued or
renewed after the effective date of termination. See id.; see also INA
sec. 244(d)(3), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(d)(3) (providing the Secretary the
discretionary ``option'' to allow for a certain ``orderly transition''
period if she determines it to be appropriate).
Reasons for the Secretary's Termination of the Temporary Protected
Status Designation for Ethiopia
Consistent with INA section 244(b)(3)(A), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(A),
after consulting with appropriate U.S. Government agencies, the
Secretary reviewed country conditions in Ethiopia and considered
whether Ethiopia continues to meet the conditions for the designation
under INA section 244(b)(1)(A) or (C), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1)(A) or (C).
This review included examining: (a) whether there is ongoing armed
conflict within the state, and (b) due to such conflict, requiring
aliens who are nationals of that state to return would pose a serious
threat to their personal safety. It also included reviewing: (c)
whether extraordinary and temporary conditions in Ethiopia that prevent
Ethiopian nationals from returning in safety continue to exist, and (d)
if permitting Ethiopian nationals to remain temporarily in the United
States is contrary to the national interest of the United States.
Based on the Department's review, the Secretary has determined the
situation in Ethiopia no longer meets the criteria for an ongoing armed
conflict that poses a serious threat to the personal safety of
returning Ethiopian nationals. Ethiopia is divided into 12 ethnically
based regional states. Conflict in the Tigray and Oromia regions led to
the initial designation for Temporary Protected Status in 2022.\3\ The
war in Tigray began in November 2020 after tensions between the Tigray
People's Liberation Front and the federal government of Ethiopia
escalated.\4\ The two-year armed
[[Page 58030]]
conflict in Tigray ended when both parties signed a Cessation of
Hostilities agreement in November 2022.\5\ The European Union's post-
conflict recovery program in Tigray, Ethiopia has been focusing on
peacebuilding, socio-economic development, and trauma healing to enable
safe community reintegration since 2021, working closely with local
partners to deliver initiatives like mental health services, legal aid,
and capacity-building efforts, which have reached over 275,000 people,
including vulnerable groups such as women, youth, and individuals with
disabilities demonstrating improvement in the region.\6\
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\3\ Designation of Ethiopia for Temporary Protected Status, 87
FR 76074 (Dec. 12, 2022).
\4\ British Broadcast Corporation, ``Ethiopia's Tigray War: The
Short, Medium and Long Story'' (June 29, 2021), <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-54964378">https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-54964378</a>.
\5\ Bertelsmann Stiftung's Transformation Index (BTI), ``2024
Country Report--Ethiopia'' (Mar. 19, 2024), <a href="https://bti-project.org/en/reports/country-report/ETH">https://bti-project.org/en/reports/country-report/ETH</a>.
\6\ Birr Metrics, ``EU-Funded Tigray Programme Reaches over
275,000 People Since 2021 Launch'' (Oct. 14, 2025), <a href="https://birrmetrics.com/eu-allocates-e5-89-million-to-tigray-recovery-initiative/">https://birrmetrics.com/eu-allocates-e5-89-million-to-tigray-recovery-initiative/</a> initiative/.
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Oromia experienced fighting between the Ethiopian National Defense
Forces and Oromo Liberation Army over territory and administrative
control of the region, with both sides carrying out attacks on both
ethnic Oromo and ethnic Amhara civilians between 2022 and into early
2024.\7\ A peace agreement was reached between the Oromia regional
government and an Oromo Liberation Army faction in December 2024, and
hundreds of Oromo Liberation Army fighters entered government
rehabilitation camps set up to facilitate the integration of militants
back into society.\8\ Since the signing of this peace agreement in
December 2024, political violence has been decreasing in the region.\9\
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\7\ Id.
\8\ Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED),
``Ethiopia Weekly Update (10 December 2024)'' (Dec. 12, 2024),
<a href="https://acleddata.com/update/ethiopia-weekly-update-10-december-2024">https://acleddata.com/update/ethiopia-weekly-update-10-december-2024</a>.
\9\ Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED),
``Ethiopia Situation Update (16 April 2025),'' (Apr. 16, 2025),
<a href="https://acleddata.com/update/ethiopia-situation-update-16-april-2025">https://acleddata.com/update/ethiopia-situation-update-16-april-2025</a>.
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After the war ended in Tigray, internal conflict among ethnic
Amharas emerged in Amhara in 2023. While the situation remains in flux,
an April 2025 report observed a decrease in clashes between the
government and Fano \10\ militias. However, this report also noted an
increase in incidents of violence against civilians in the Amhara
region, perpetrated by both the government and Fano militias.\11\ While
some residual challenges in regions affected by the conflicts remain,
there are signs of improvements in the country. In September 2025, the
Ministry of Finance released a record-breaking national budget of $33.7
billion for their fiscal year that focuses heavily on Ethiopia's
infrastructure and human development needs.\12\ These improvements
suggest there is no longer an ongoing armed conflict that poses a
serious threat to the personal safety of returning Ethiopian nationals.
Based on the Department's review, the Secretary has determined that the
termination of Temporary Protected Status for Ethiopia is required. The
Secretary has determined that, while some sporadic and episodic
violence occurs in Ethiopia, the situation no longer meets the criteria
for an ongoing armed conflict that poses a serious threat to the
personal safety of returning Ethiopian nationals.
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\10\ Fano is the term currently used to describe Amhara
paramilitary groups. See Armed Conflict Location & Event Data
Project (ACLED), Ethiopia Actor Profiles.
\11\ Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED),
``Ethiopia Situation Update (16 April 2025),'' (Apr. 16, 2025),
<a href="https://acleddata.com/update/ethiopia-situation-update-16-april-2025">https://acleddata.com/update/ethiopia-situation-update-16-april-2025</a>.
\12\ Addis Insight, ``Ethiopia Unveils Record 1.93 Trillion Birr
Citizens' Budget to Power Post-war Recovery and Growth,'' (Sept. 25,
2025), <a href="https://www.addisinsight.net/2025/09/25/ethiopia-unveils-record-1-93-trillion-birr-citizens-budget-to-power-post-war-recovery-and-growth/">https://www.addisinsight.net/2025/09/25/ethiopia-unveils-record-1-93-trillion-birr-citizens-budget-to-power-post-war-recovery-and-growth/</a>.
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Additionally, a review of the extraordinary and temporary
conditions that gave rise to past designations such as internal
displacement, food insecurity, and disease outbreaks are showing signs
of improvement which would allow aliens to safely return to the country
and live in the regions not affected by the conflict. The data
surrounding internal displacement does indicate parts of the country
are suitable for aliens to safely return. Ethiopia has made progress in
addressing internal displacement as 3.3 million internally displaced
people have returned to their area of origin as of June 2024.\13\ The
country has enhanced access to food and basic social services. For
example, the United States officially marked the successful transition
of its food assistance operations in northern Ethiopia to the Joint
Emergency Operations Program in July 2025--a significant milestone in
strengthening the humanitarian response across Tigray, Amhara, and
Afar.\14\ Access to healthcare has also improved. In August 2025,
Ethiopia has successfully completed its 2025 nationwide integrated
measles campaign, reaching an impressive 18,570,244 children--99% of
the targeted population. This involved routine vaccination of more than
300,000 children, screening 18.9 million children under 5 for
malnutrition, supplementing more than 15 million children with vitamin
A, deworming 11 million children, and referring 500,000 sick children
to the appropriate health services.\15\ These developments indicate
that Ethiopia is not experiencing extraordinary and temporary
conditions to the same extent as when the country was designated for
Temporary Protected Status, and these conditions no longer hinder the
safe return of aliens to Ethiopia.
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\13\ UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
(OCHA), ``Ethiopia: Internal Displacement Overview (as of June
2024)'' (July 4, 2024), <a href="https://reliefweb.int/report/ethiopia/ethiopia-internal-displacement-overview-june-2024#">https://reliefweb.int/report/ethiopia/ethiopia-internal-displacement-overview-june-2024#</a>.
\14\ Over the past six months, the transition has brought 1.2
million people across 52 woredas, or administrative districts, in
Afar, Amhara, and Tigray under Joint Emergency Operations Program's
care. With the final phase now complete, Joint Emergency Operations
Program is delivering lifesaving food assistance to a total of 3.1
million people across Ethiopia. See U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia, ``The
United States Enhances its Humanitarian Response in Northern
Ethiopia by Transitioning Food Assistance to JEOP'' (July 16, 2025),
<a href="https://et.usembassy.gov/the-united-states-enhances-its-humanitarian-response-in-northern-ethiopia-by-transitioning-food-assistance-to-jeop/">https://et.usembassy.gov/the-united-states-enhances-its-humanitarian-response-in-northern-ethiopia-by-transitioning-food-assistance-to-jeop/</a>.
\15\ World Health Organization, ``Ethiopia's Integrated Measles
Campaign Reaches 18.5 Million Under-Five Children'' (Aug. 6, 2025),
<a href="https://www.afro.who.int/countries/ethiopia/news/ethiopias-integrated-measles-campaign-reaches-185-million-under-five-children">https://www.afro.who.int/countries/ethiopia/news/ethiopias-integrated-measles-campaign-reaches-185-million-under-five-children</a>.
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Of significance when evaluating the conditions in Ethiopia and the
ability of Ethiopian nationals to return in safety, a number of
Ethiopian nationals have requested advance parole documents for travel
back to Ethiopia. From 2022, through 2025, approximately 2,147
Ethiopian nationals requested advance parole documents, of which
approximately 699 (33%) were for intended travel to Ethiopia.\16\ This
is directly relevant to whether nationals can safely return there.
Additionally, the Government of Ethiopia cooperates with U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement in facilitating the removal of
aliens to Ethiopia. Based on the Department's review, the Secretary has
further determined that while Ethiopia still experiences extraordinary
and temporary conditions, there have been improvements in these areas
as well as Ethiopia's infrastructure and economy and the termination of
Ethiopia's Temporary Protected Status designation is required because
it is contrary to the
[[Page 58031]]
national interest to permit Ethiopian nationals (or nationals having no
nationality who last habitually resided in Ethiopia) to remain
temporarily in the United States. In the Temporary Protected Status
statute, Congress expressly prohibits the Secretary from designating a
country for Temporary Protected Status if she finds that ``permitting
the aliens to remain temporarily in the United States is contrary to
the national interest of the United States.'' INA 244(b)(1)(C), 8
U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1)(C). Accordingly, as the Department and the Attorney
General have long recognized, such a ``national interest'' assessment
is an essential element of a determination whether to extend or
terminate the Temporary Protected Status designation for Ethiopia,
which was based in part on ``extraordinary and temporary conditions.''
\17\
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\16\ Estimates as of June 27, 2025. These figures do not
necessarily include Temporary Protected Status beneficiaries, who
receive a Temporary Protected Status Travel Authorization Document
rather than an Advance Parole Document. USCIS does not collect
intended destination country from Temporary Protected Status
beneficiaries on form I-131, Application for Travel Documents,
Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records.
\17\ Cf., e.g., Termination of Designation of Liberia Under
Temporary Protected Status Program After Final 6-Month Extension, 63
FR 15437, 15438 (Mar. 31, 1998) (terminating Liberia Temporary
Protected Status designation after ``consultations with the
appropriate agencies of the U.S. Government concerning (a) the
conditions in Liberia; and (b) whether permitting nationals of
Liberia . . . to remain temporarily in the United States is contrary
to the national interest of the United States'').
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``National interest'' is an expansive standard that may encompass
an array of broad considerations, including foreign policy, public
safety (e.g., potential nexus to criminal gang membership), national
security, migration factors (e.g., pull factors), immigration policy
(e.g., enforcement prerogatives), and economic considerations (e.g.,
adverse effects on U.S. workers, impact on U.S. communities).\18\
Determining whether permitting a class of aliens to remain temporarily
in the United States is contrary to the U.S. national interest
therefore calls upon the Secretary's expertise and discretionary
judgment, informed by her consultations with appropriate U.S.
Government agencies and her review of various considerations.
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\18\ See, e.g., Poursina v. USCIS, 936 F.3d 868, 874 (9th Cir.
2019) (observing, in an analogous INA context, ``that the `national
interest' standard invokes broader economic and national-security
considerations, and such determinations are firmly committed to the
discretion of the Executive Branch--not to federal courts'' (citing
Trump v. Hawaii, 585 U.S. 667, 684-86 (2018)); Flores v. Garland, 72
F.4th 85, 89-90 (5th Cir. 2023) (same); Brasil v. Sec'y, Dep't of
Homeland Sec., 28 F.4th 1189, 1193 (11th Cir. 2022) (same); cf.
Matter of D-J-, 23 I&N Dec. 572, 579-81 (A.G. 2003) (recognizing
that taking measures to stem and eliminate possible incentives for
potential large-scale migration from a given country is ``sound
immigration policy'' and an ``important national security
interest''); Matter of Dhanasar, 26 I&N Dec. 884, 890-91 (AAO 2016)
(taking into account impact on U.S. workers in ``national interest''
assessments).
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President Trump in his recent immigration and border-related
executive orders and proclamations, clearly articulated an array of
policy imperatives bearing upon the national interest. In Executive
Order 14159, President Trump underscored that enforcing the immigration
laws ``is critically important to the national security and public
safety of the United States.'' \19\ In furtherance of that objective,
the President directed the Secretary, along with the Attorney General
and Secretary of State, to promptly take all appropriate action,
consistent with law, to rescind policies that led to increased or
continued presence of illegal aliens in the United States.\20\ Among
the directed actions are to ensure that the Temporary Protected Status
designations are consistent with the Temporary Protected Status statute
and ``are appropriately limited in scope and made for only so long as
may be necessary to fulfill the textual requirements of that statute.''
\21\
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\19\ Protecting the American People Against Invasion, 90 FR 8443
(Jan. 29, 2025).
\20\ Id., sec. 16, 90 FR 8446.
\21\ Id., sec. 16(b), 90 FR 8446. The intent of Temporary
Protected Status was to create a temporary safe haven for eligible
aliens who are already in the United States. See INA sec.
244(c)(1)(A)(i) (limiting Temporary Protected Status eligibility to
aliens continuously physically present in the United States since
the country's designation), (c)(5) (clarifying that a Temporary
Protected Status designation does not authorize aliens to come to
the United States to apply for such status). Using TPS to grant
temporary status to successive waves of new arrivals from a
designated country may generate a significant pull factor for
illegal immigration and act in tension with the congressional
design.
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According to the Fiscal Year 2024 Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) Entry/Exit Overstay Report (``Overstay Report''),\22\ Ethiopia
had a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 8.27% and an F, M, and J visa
overstay rate of 13.95%--over 250% higher and over 330% higher,
respectively, than the average visa overstay rates of all countries
(2.33% for B-1/B-2 visa and 3.23% for student and exchange visitor
visas). These overstay rates pose a direct challenge to the national
interest by eroding immigration laws and overburdening immigration
enforcement. All visa overstays are contrary to the national interest,
regardless of the alien's country of citizenship or nationality or the
conditions within that country. Additionally, DHS records indicate a
significant portion of the Ethiopian Temporary Protected Status
population have been under administrative investigation for risk to
national security, public safety, or for attempting to obtain
immigration benefits through fraud or misrepresentation.\23\
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\22\ U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), ``Entry/Exit
Overstay Report Fiscal Year 2024 Report to Congress'' (July 16,
2025), <a href="https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2025-09/25_0912_cbp_entry-exit-overstay-report-fiscal-year-2024.pdf">https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2025-09/25_0912_cbp_entry-exit-overstay-report-fiscal-year-2024.pdf</a>.
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The Secretary's decision to terminate the Temporary Protected
Status designation for Ethiopia is based on an assessment of country
conditions, such as the nature of violence in the country today,
internal displacement, food insecurity, and disease outbreaks, as well
as national interest factors, such as number of visa overstays,
national security, and public safety risks. The reduction in armed
violence and the improvement in country conditions, which underpinned
the initial designations, allows nationals to return in safety. In
addition, the Secretary has determined that extending Temporary
Protected Status for Ethiopia is contrary to the U.S. national
interest. In considering these factors individually and collectively,
the Secretary has determined that Ethiopia no longer meets the
statutory basis for Temporary Protected Status.
DHS estimates that there are 5,001 current approved beneficiaries
under the designation of Ethiopia for Temporary Protected Status. As of
November 10, 2025, there are 263 total pending applications for
Temporary Protected Status from Ethiopian nationals (or aliens having
no nationality who last habitually resided in Ethiopia).\24\
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\24\ Estimates as of November 10, 2025.
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Effective Date of Termination of the Designation
The Temporary Protected Status statute provides that the
termination of a country's Temporary Protected Status designation may
not be effective earlier than 60 days after the notice is published in
the Federal Register or, if later, the expiration of the most-recent
previous extension. See INA sec. 244(b)(3)(B), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(B).
The Temporary Protected Status statute authorizes the Secretary, at
her discretion, to allow for an ``orderly transition'' period with
respect to the termination and the expiration of any Temporary
Protected Status-related documentation, such as Employment
Authorization Documents. The Secretary has determined, in her
discretion, that a 60-day transition period is sufficient and warranted
here given the Secretary's finding that continuing to permit Ethiopian
nationals to remain temporarily in the United States is contrary to the
U.S.
[[Page 58032]]
national interest. See INA sec. 244(d)(3), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(d)(3).\25\
Accordingly, the termination of the Ethiopia Temporary Protected Status
designation will be effective 60 days from this notice's publication
date.\26\
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\25\ Whether to allow for an additional ``orderly departure''
period following a Temporary Protected Status designation
termination (beyond the statutory minimum of 60 days) is an
``option'' left to the Secretary's unfettered discretion. INA
244(d)(3), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(d)(3). Although DHS has allowed such
extended periods for certain Temporary Protected Status
terminations, see, e.g., Termination of the Designation of Sudan for
Temporary Protected Status, 82 FR 47228 (Oct. 11, 2017) (12-month
orderly transition period); Termination of the Designation of Sierra
Leone Under the Temporary Protected Status Program; Extension of
Employment Authorization Documentation, 68 FR 52407 (Sept. 3, 2003)
(6-month orderly transition period), certain other Temporary
Protected Status designations were terminated without allowing for
such transition periods, see, e.g., Termination of Designation of
Angola Under the Temporary Protected Status Program, 68 FR 3896
(Jan. 27, 2003) (no orderly transition period); Termination of
Designation of Lebanon Under Temporary Protected Status Program, 58
FR 7582 (Feb. 8, 1993) (same).
\26\ See 8 CFR 244.19 (``Upon the termination of designation of
a foreign state, those nationals afforded temporary Protected Status
shall, upon the sixtieth (60th) day after the date notice of
termination is published in the Federal Register, or on the last day
of the most recent extension of designation by the [Secretary of
Homeland Security], automatically and without further notice or
right of appeal, lose Temporary Protected Status in the United
States. Such termination of a foreign state's designation is not
subject to appeal.'').
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DHS recognizes that Ethiopian Temporary Protected Status
beneficiaries continue to be authorized to work during the 60-day
transition period.\27\ Accordingly, through this Federal Register
notice, DHS automatically extends the validity of certain Employment
Authorization Documents previously issued under the Temporary Protected
Status designation of Ethiopia through February 13, 2026. Therefore, as
proof of continued employment authorization through February 13, 2026,
Temporary Protected Status beneficiaries can show their Employment
Authorization Documents that have the notation A-12 or C-19 under
Category and a ``Card Expires'' dates of June 12, 2024 and December 12,
2025.
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\27\ See INA 244(a)(1)(B), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(a)(1)(B); see also 8
CFR 244.13(b).
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The Secretary has considered putative reliance interests in the
Ethiopia Temporary Protected Status designation, especially when
considering whether to allow for an additional transition period akin
to that allowed under certain previous Temporary Protected Status
terminations. Temporary Protected Status, as the name itself makes
clear, is an inherently temporary status. Temporary Protected Status
designations are time-limited and must be periodically reviewed, and
Temporary Protected Status notices clearly notify aliens of the
designations' expiration dates. Further, whether to allow for an
orderly transition period is left to the Secretary's unfettered
discretion. See INA sec. 244(b)(3), (d)(3); 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3),
(d)(3). The statute inherently contemplates advance notice of a
termination by requiring timely publication of the Secretary's
determination and delaying the effective date of the termination by at
least 60 days after publication of a Federal Register notice of the
termination or, if later, the existing expiration date. See INA sec.
244(b)(3)(A)-(B), (d)(3); 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(A)-(B), (d)(3).
Notice of the Termination of the Temporary Protected Status Designation
of Ethiopia
By the authority vested in me as Secretary under INA section
244(b)(3), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3), I have reviewed, in consultation with
the appropriate U.S. Government agencies, (a) conditions in Ethiopia;
(b) whether permitting the nationals of Ethiopia (and aliens having no
nationality who last habitually resided in Ethiopia) to remain
temporarily in the United States is contrary to the national interest
of the United States; (c) whether Ethiopia is experiencing ongoing
armed conflict that poses a serious threat to the personal safety of
Ethiopian nationals, and (d) whether extraordinary and temporary
conditions in Ethiopia that prevent Ethiopian nationals from returning
in safety continue to exist. Based on my review, I have determined that
Ethiopia no longer continues to meet the conditions for Temporary
Protected Status under INA section 244(b)(1)(A) or (C), 8 U.S.C.
1254a(b)(1)(A) or (C).
Accordingly, I order as follows:
(1) Pursuant to INA section 244(b)(3)(B), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(B),
and considering INA section 244(d)(3), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(d)(3), the
designation of Ethiopia for Temporary Protected Status is terminated
effective at 11:59 p.m., local time, on February 13, 2026.
(2) Information concerning the termination of Temporary Protected
Status for nationals of Ethiopia (and aliens having no nationality who
last habitually resided in Ethiopia) under the designation will be
available at local USCIS offices upon publication of this notice and
through the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283. This information
will also be published on the USCIS website at <a href="http://www.uscis.gov">www.uscis.gov</a>.
Kristi Noem,
Secretary of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. 2025-22746 Filed 12-12-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-97-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on December 15, 2025.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.