The phrase refers to the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) by the Trump administration for various countries. TPS is a program that provides temporary immigration status to eligible nationals of designated countries experiencing ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions. Example countries affected by this policy shift include El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Honduras.
The significance of this action lies in its potential impact on individuals and families who had been residing and working legally in the United States for many years under TPS. The loss of this status raised concerns about potential deportation, family separation, and economic hardship. Historically, TPS designations were often extended for years, allowing recipients to establish lives and contribute to the U.S. economy; the cessation of these extensions represented a substantial policy departure.