Key Takeaways
- The Trump administration’s plan to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for South Sudanese nationals has left many facing an uncertain future in the United States.
- TPS provides temporary legal status to people whose home countries are deemed critically unsafe, and its termination could mean deportation to a country with widespread famine and political instability.
- Many South Sudanese TPS holders have built lives in the United States, paid taxes, and contributed to the economy, but now face limited options for remaining in the country.
- The asylum system is backlogged, and traditional refugee admissions programs have been replaced, leaving few alternative pathways for TPS holders to remain in the United States.
Introduction to Alex Lomong’s Story
Alex Lomong is a 28-year-old man from South Sudan who has built a life in the United States. He is a decorated Division I athlete, a middle-distance runner, and a Virginia resident. However, with the Trump administration’s plan to end TPS designation for South Sudanese nationals, Lomong is facing an uncertain future. Born in a small village in South Sudan, Lomong fled to Kenya with his mother in 2003 due to escalating violence. He came to the United States in 2009 on a student visa and quickly emerged as a standout runner. The end of TPS could mean that Lomong, along with hundreds of others, will be forced to return to a country with widespread famine and political instability.
The Impact of TPS Termination
The termination of TPS for South Sudanese nationals has significant implications for those who have built lives in the United States. Many have relied on TPS to remain in the country, paying taxes, working, and contributing to the economy. Mariam Masumi, an immigration lawyer, notes that TPS holders have been depending on the status for at least 14 years, and its termination could lead to deportation to a country that is still experiencing violence, mass displacement, and widespread hunger. The United Nations has warned of food insecurity in South Sudan, and the Trump administration has announced full U.S. entry restrictions and travel limitations for the country.
The South Sudanese Community in the United States
The South Sudanese community in the United States is preparing for the possibility of deportations in January. John Ochira, the previous president of the South Sudanese Community Association of Maine, notes that many South Sudanese people have settled in Maine, opening grocery stores, churches, and becoming nonprofit leaders. However, TPS allows people to stay and work legally for a limited time, but it does not provide a path to permanent residency. Refugee status, on the other hand, is granted to people outside the U.S. who face persecution and are resettled with legal status that can lead to citizenship.
The Limited Options for TPS Holders
TPS holders have few viable pathways to remain in the United States. The asylum system is backlogged, with cases taking eight to 10 years, and the traditional refugee admissions program has been replaced by a new Trump administration system that advocates argue does not follow the requirements Congress set in 1980. Ruben Torres, advocacy and policy manager at the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition, notes that TPS holders who lose status might shift to another category like asylum, an H-visa, or another visa they qualify for, but those avenues are largely closed. Lomong hopes to compete in the Olympics someday and build a life in the United States without the constant fear of having to leave.
The Humanitarian Crisis in South Sudan
South Sudan remains deeply unstable, with ongoing violence and mass displacement. The Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan issued a stark warning that political corruption and crisis are leading to an increase in armed violence, deepening grim human rights conditions. The State Department travel advisory has designated South Sudan as a level 4 destination, the highest ranking, warning of unrest, crime, health, kidnapping, and landmines. Masumi notes that South Sudan is still experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis, with hundreds of thousands of people leaving the country in the last year. The termination of TPS could mean that TPS holders will be forced to return to a country that is still experiencing significant problems.
Conclusion
The termination of TPS for South Sudanese nationals has left many facing an uncertain future in the United States. Lomong and others like him have built lives in the country, paid taxes, and contributed to the economy, but now face limited options for remaining in the United States. The asylum system is backlogged, and traditional refugee admissions programs have been replaced, leaving few alternative pathways for TPS holders to remain in the country. The humanitarian crisis in South Sudan continues, with widespread famine and political instability, making it a dire prospect for TPS holders to be deported back to their home country.
