Last weekend, in their continued campaign of terror across the state, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) murdered another civilian, south Minneapolis resident Alex Pretti. The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM) condemns the second known fatal ICE shooting of a local community member this year. Both Pretti and Renee Good were murdered by the government for defending their neighbors against ICE violence in Minneapolis. ILCM also condemns the underlying violence of government surveillance, harassment, detention, and deportation of immigrants that preceded these execution-style murders and continues today. 

ICE has occupied Minnesota for almost two months, now. They have brought sheer terror to neighborhoods across the state, breaking down doors, arresting people in hospitals, tear gassing students, racially profiling and abducting people of color, and threatening anyone who stands in their way. This horror and violence may be new to some, but marginalized communities have experienced it since the founding of this country. The recent ICE murders of two Minnesotans exist in a long string of government killings of immigrants and people of color as part of a slow government campaign of ethnic cleansing that is now on our doorsteps. 

Communities across Minnesota have banded together to help vulnerable neighbors and bear witness to the ongoing horrors. ILCM encourages people to connect with those around them and donate to local direct assistance funds. We are stronger together. 

 

If you personally witness ICE activity, report to any of these three rapid response lines:  

• Immigrant Defense Network: 612-255-3112  

• Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee: miracmn@gmail.com   

• Monarca Rapid Response Line: 612-441-2881 (not for live response, only call with identifying information about an immigrant abductee) 

Note: Consider joining neighborhood/community-level networks for faster local response. 

 

When documenting, practice providing information using SALUTE format:
Size: How many people and/or vehicles are present? 
Activity: What specifically are they doing? 
Location: Address, nearby cross streets, or landmarks 
Uniform: What are they wearing or what identification do they have? 
Time: Date and time observed 
Equipment: What weapons or devices are they carrying?  

 

If an immigrant is detained by ICE, call the ILCM Detention Line (651) 641-1011 Monday-Thursday 1-3pm. 

For immigrants detained by ICE or immigrants preparing for possible detention, please use these additional resources: http://bit.ly/ProtectingMinnesotans  

For general immigration legal services and referrals, call or text CAIR-MN at (612) 206-3360. 
 
For protest arrestee legal support, contact National Lawyers Guild Minnesota: (612) 444-2654.  To locate a citizen who was arrested, check Hennepin and Ramsey County jail rosters on county websites. Have a safety plan for if you are detained. It is also critical that you receive sound criminal and/or immigration legal advice. Do not speak to ICE or law enforcement without a lawyer. Do not sign anything without a lawyer. 

For evidence of abuses or excessive use of force against immigrants, please email information to info@monarcamn.org  

For evidence of abuses or excessive use of force against citizens, use the ACLU form or the MN Attorney General’s Federal Action Reporting Form. 

The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM) supports the ICE Out of Minnesota movement on Friday, January 23, 2026 and encourages all Minnesotans to participate in a day of community and collective action. In solidarity with individuals, families, and communities impacted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in MN, ILCM supports its employees and the public in pausing daily economic activity. 

ILCM assists immigrants daily, so we will remain open to support our clients and community. However, we join a broad range of organizations in demanding that ICE stops surveilling, profiling, harassing, threatening, and killing our community members. We demand that ICE leaves Minnesota immediately. 

To learn more about ICE Out of Minnesota, please visit: https://www.iceoutnowmn.com/ 

The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM) strongly condemns the horrific violence perpetuated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that continues to ripple across Minnesota. ICE is not making our state safer, and they have no place in our communities.  

Over a month ago, the federal government increased immigration enforcement in Minnesota using the racist pretense of fraud investigations targeting the Somali community. Recently, 2,000 additional ICE, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents were reportedly assigned to Minnesota to conduct immigration enforcement and fraud investigations.  Communities across the state have been terrorized by masked, armed agents who are indiscriminately and aggressively harassing and kidnapping individuals at school, at work, on the streets, and in their homes. 

As immigration lawyers and advocates, we recognize this pattern of state violence perpetrated by government agencies. Over the past year, this has occurred in California, Illinois, Oregon, North Carolina, and Washington DC. The full-scale invasion of communities across the country represents a brash form of authoritarian fascism. The federal government has shown a willingness to completely disregard the law, trample people’s legal rights, avoid accountability, and destroy anyone who stands in their way.  

In addition to tearing apart families and disappearing people, community supporters are being targeted for harassment and violence. Yesterday, ICE murdered Renee Nicole Good as she bravely bore witness to the assault on her neighbors in Minneapolis. We have seen blatant attempts by the federal government to spread misinformation about the shooting, specifically to spin the observer’s actions as “domestic terrorism.” These propagandized efforts attempt to criminalize community response to violent federal actions.  

ILCM demands justice and accountability for the murder of Renee Nicole Good. We will continue to defend the legal rights of immigrants and refugees and offer resources and legal services to protect and strengthen our communities. ICE has no place here. 

 

ILCM encourages neighbors to connect, mobilize, and stand together. If you personally witness ICE activity, you should report to any of these three rapid response lines:  

Immigrant Defense Network: 612-255-3112 
Monarca Rapid Response Line: 612-441-2881  (only if you have identifying information about an abducted immigrant)
Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee: miracmn@gmail.com   

When documenting, practice including information using S.A.L.U.T.E.: 
• S – Size: How many people and/or vehicles are present? 
• A – Activity: What specifically are they doing? 
• L – Location: Address, nearby cross streets, or landmarks 
• U – Uniform: What are they wearing or what identification do they have? 
• T – Time: Date and time observed 
• E – Equipment: What weapons or devices are they carrying?  

If you or someone you know is detained by ICE, call (651) 641-1011 within our detention line hours to obtain general information about Immigration Court proceedings, the Minnesota Detention Project, and the services the project provides. The ILCM Detention Line intake hours are Mondays 2-4pm and Thursday 1-3pm.  

For 24/7 legal intake, call or text CAIR-MN at (612) 206-3360. 
 
For protest arrestee legal support, contact National Lawyers Guild Minnesota at: (612) 444-2654.  To locate someone who is arrested, you can check Hennepin and Ramsey County jail rosters on county websites. We recognize that members of our immigrant and refugee communities may protest. Please ensure that you are aware of your rights and know how to assert them. Your rights may be violated in any case. Have a safety plan for if you are detained. It is also critical that you receive sound criminal and/or immigration legal advice if you are arrested.  

To report ICE misconduct and constitutional violations, visit Request Legal Assistance – ACLU of Minnesota.  

At a time when misinformation, racism, and fear too often dominate the narrative about immigration, each of us has a role to play in building a more welcoming community and resisting an increasingly violent and militarized federal government. Standing with immigrants and refugees doesn’t require being an expert or doing everything at once; it starts with small, consistent actions that build collective power.

While it can feel overwhelming and impossible to make a difference, remember that you have the power to be a catalyst of change within our community. Here’s a list compiled by ILCM staff on meaningful ways you can show up, speak out, and make a real impact: 

1) 📖Stay Informed.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn for the latest immigration news and updates. You can also visit a local library or prioritize news from credible sources with transparent practices. Even reading one article a day helps you stay informed and better prepared to combat misinformation and harmful rhetoric.

2) 📣Speak Up and Speak Out.  

Talk to friends and family, and to members of your civic and religious groups about immigrants and refugees. While it may be a difficult conversation, especially if they may not be receptive or believe misleading content, we have some tips on Talking About Immigration for help!

3) 👬Join a Legal Observer or Bystander Training.  

Sign up for a training session on what to do if you witness ICE activity. Groups like Monarcha and Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) regularly host these trainings, so you’re prepared and know your rights if you encounter ICE as a bystander. If you live outside the Twin Cities, look to your local immigrant justice organizers for opportunities.

If you’re a US citizen, you can act as a legal observer if you see ICE or other federal agents questioning someone in public. Even if you’re not trained, here’s what you can do at the moment:

• If you see something, record it. Try to document the harm they are causing to our community.
  
• Know your rights. You may document and record enforcement activity from a safe distance.
• Send your documentation to organizations and call for help:
  • Call the Unidos Monarca Rapid Response Line at (612) 441-2881, who will send trained responders to witness federal activity in our communities. 
  • Call the Immigrant Defense Network helpline at (612) 255-3112 immediately if you witness activity or a family/neighbor is impacted and needs support. 

4) 💡Support Organizations Providing Legal Services.  

Yes, that includes us – the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota! Financial support through gifts helps ensure immigrants and refugees have access to legal aid, educational support, and advocacy. We’re proud to be part of a strong Minnesotan network of legal aid organizations doing this work and making a powerful impact, which includes: Advocates for Human Rights, International Institute of Minnesota, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, and Volunteer Lawyers Network.

5) ✍Write Letters to the Editor. 

Letters published in local newspapers show your community that immigrants and refugees have strong, visible support. Share speeches, quotes, and articles that push back on anti-immigrant rhetoric.

6) 📞Call your Representatives.

Changing national policy is the single most important way to help immigrants and refugees. While it won’t happen overnight, pick one issue each week and commit to calling regularly. Tell your representatives to support compassion, not detention, and that you believe in a path to legalization and citizenship for all immigrants. That immigrants enrich our communities, strengthening our nation by sharing their unique skills, experiences, and cultural practices. 

Phone calls are more effective than letters or petitions. You can find your representatives in the Minnesota Legislature website.   

7) 🤝Join with Others. Go to a rally or protest, invite friends over to watch a movie about immigrants and refugees, take a friend to a benefit event—commitment shared brings strength and energy for the struggle.  

8) 🌐Share on Social Media.  

Your voice matters. Amplify immigrant voices. Share stories and artwork by immigrants, support immigrant-owned businesses, and engage with media that highlights their experiences. Push back against misinformation, share resources, and show that supporting immigrant and refugees is important to you.

9) 🙋Volunteer. 

Be a resource. Become a pro bono legal volunteer. Other volunteering opportunities are available with the following organizations that align closely with ILCM’s values: 

• Advocates for Human Rights Court Observation Project 
• Conversations with Friends 
• National Lawyers Guild 
• REP Hotline

10) 🗳Vote.

Voting is one of the most powerful tools we have to shape national policy and build a country that welcomes and values immigrants and refugees. Register to vote. It is vital to vote on these issues and be sure you’re registered.

December 3, 2025 – This week, the New York Times reported the administration’s plans for targeted immigration enforcement operations of Somali immigrants in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. The plan includes adding roughly 100 Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers from across the country to this disturbing, Islamophobic, and racist effort.

Minnesota is home to roughly 84,000 people of Somali descent who have created very deep roots in the United States. Threats of detention and deportation create a very serious climate of fear and uncertainty.

Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM) Executive Director, Jennifer Stohl Powell, said: “ILCM stands with our Somali clients and community members, who are being unfairly vilified by the administration and targeted by current ICE enforcement actions. The majority of Somalis in Minnesota entered as refugees, and many are now U.S. citizens. We urge all non-citizens to know their immigration status and carry proof of that status. Non-citizens have rights, including the right to remain silent, the right not to sign anything without speaking with an attorney, and the right not to open the door unless officers present a judicial warrant with the correct name and address.”

The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota condemns the racist and Islamophobic actions of the Trump administration. We will continue to defend the rights of immigrants and refugees and offer resources and legal services to protect and strengthen our communities.

We urge all community members to know their rights when interacting with ICE:

• You have the right to remain silent.

• You have the right to speak to a lawyer.

• Do not sign anything. ICE may try to get you to sign documents that hinder your situation.

• You do NOT need to open your door unless agents present a signed judicial warrant with your correct name and address.
• You may document and record enforcement activity from a safe distance.

If you see an enforcement activity, please immediately contact the Immigrant Defense Network helpline at (612) 255-3112. As a bystander, you have the legal right to record, document, and observe from a safe distance.

If you or someone you know has been detained, call 651-641-1011 within our detention line intake hours to obtain general information about court proceedings, the Minnesota Detention Project, and the services the project provides. The ILCM Detention Line intake hours are Mondays 2-4pm and Thursday 1-3pm.

On September 8, the Supreme Court allowed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to continue their unlawful actions in Los Angeles and surrounding counties, at least temporarily. This order reverses the judgments in two lower courts that barred immigration agents in Los Angeles from stopping individuals on the basis of factors including apparent race or ethnicity. 

As a legal services organization serving immigrants and refugees, the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM) is outraged by the Supreme Court’s decision to allow the continuation of race-based immigration raids. This decision tramples on Fourth Amendment and due process principles, institutionalizing racism and xenophobia. The implications of the highest court in the land allowing racial profiling by immigration agents on even a temporary, geographically limited basis are hard to overstate. It gives explicit license for federal agencies to harass, abuse, and traumatize people based on their presumed race, ethnicity, job, location, or language, effectively pushing the United States deeper into authoritarianism. 

The high court’s approval of ethnicity as a “relevant factor” in stops, arrest, and detentions reflects centuries of racism that have been both de jure and de facto. The U.S. immigration system has always considered race, whether through racial and national immigration bans, country quotas, or definitions of whiteness. At no point in the history of the United States have non-white people been free to exist with the same benefits of citizenship as their white counterparts. For much of this nation’s life, whiteness was an explicit requirement for citizenship, and to be denied whiteness or citizenship was to be relegated to underclass status. 

For communities that are already facing mounting uncertainty and anxiety in their everyday lives, this represents one more affirmative gut punch that the U.S. government does not recognize their humanity. It is not enough to say that we continue to stand with immigrants. ILCM abhors the continued dehumanization of people of color who seek better lives for themselves and their families, often fleeing dangerous situations created by US imperialism through intentional destabilization. We will fight to ensure that every person is treated with dignity, regardless of immigration status. 

The stark reality of this ruling should both gall and galvanize all of us. Sign up for a Bystander Training with MIRAC – Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee or Unidos MN. Join the Court Observer Project. Share Know Your Rights materials. Protect your community. Let history remind us not to stand idly by. 

Fact Sheet: Temporary Protected Status for Haiti 

Updated on and current as of July 28, 2025. This is not legal advice.  

Through the Federal Register notice on July 1, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti. The designation of Haiti is set to expire on August 3, 2025. The July 1, 2025 termination notice was set to go into effect on September 2, 2025, however, this termination date was blocked by a recent court case. On July 15, 2025, a judge in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York issued a final judgement in Haitian Evangelical Clergy Ass’n v. Trump, No. 25-cv-1464 (E.D.N.Y.), that makes the effective date of any termination no earlier than February 3, 2026. Information about this change can be found in the USCIS alert. Please note that USCIS disagrees with this court decision and has said that they will fight the ruling. Please continue to come back to the ILCM factsheet page, FRN, and USCIS website to check for updates.  

What is temporary protected status (TPS)? 

TPS is granted by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to eligible foreign-born individuals who are unable to return home safely due to conditions or circumstances preventing their return to their home country. 

During the designated TPS period, TPS holders are not removable from the United States and not detainable by DHS based on their immigration status. TPS holders are eligible for an employment authorization document (EAD), and eligible for travel authorization. 

What does the termination of TPS for Haiti mean?  

In July 2024, Secretary of DHS, Mayorkas, announced the 18-month redesignation and extension of TPS for Haiti, which was set to expire on February 3, 2026. In February of 2025, the new Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, decided to partially vacate Mayorkas’ decision. The designation and extension of Haiti for TPS was changed to expire on August 3, 2025. On July 1, 2025, Kristi Noem announced that Haiti as a TPS designation will be terminated. From the notice of termination on July 1, 2025, there was announced to be a 60-day transition period until the termination would go into effect on September 2, 2025. However, on July 15th, the September 2, 2025, termination date was blocked by the Haitian Evangelical Clergy Ass’n v. Trump, No. 25-cv-1464 (E.D.N.Y.) court ruling, which stated that the termination of Haiti for TPS cannot go into effect earlier than February 3, 2026. The current termination date of TPS for Haiti is February 3, 2026. After February 3, 2026, people who hold TPS and are a Haitian national (or people having no nationality who last habitually resided in Haiti) will no longer have protection under TPS.  

How do I apply for TPS?  

People interested in TPS must file an application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and pay the filing fee. They may also apply for an EAD and for travel authorization. All individuals applying for TPS undergo security and background checks as part of determining eligibility.  

Please note: The registration period for TPS for Haiti ends August 3, 2025. After August 3, 2025, you can no longer apply for TPS for Haiti.  

The current termination date for TPS for Haiti is February 3, 2025. Anyone who holds TPS for Haiti after this date will no longer have TPS.  

Is TPS status given automatically? 

No, TPS is not automatic. People must apply, pay a filing fee, and pass immigration screening. There are some facts that will make a person ineligible for TPS. For example, people with certain criminal convictions or who violated the human rights of others are not eligible for TPS. People who are inadmissible under certain sections of the law may have to file a waiver before they can be approved for TPS status. The application process can be complicated, and we recommend working with an immigration attorney. Please note, DHS is not accepting applications for Haiti after August 3, 2025, and as of now, Haiti as a TPS designation will be effectively terminated after February 3, 2025.  

How long will eligible people have protection under TPS? 

TPS is a temporary status. the recent court case Haitian Evangelical Clergy Ass’n v. Trump, No. 25-cv-1464 (E.D.N.Y.) blocked the termination date of September 2, 2025, that was previously announced by The Secretary of Homeland Security, Katie Noem. The case ruled that TPS for Haiti cannot be terminated earlier than February 3, 2026. Currently, after February 3, 2026, people who hold TPS and are a Haitian national (or people having no nationality who last habitually resided in Haiti), will no longer have protection under TPS.  

I am from Haiti and currently have TPS. Can I re-register? 

Maybe. Talk to an immigration attorney to further discuss your specific situation. Regardless, the registration period for TPS for Haiti ends August 3, 2025. 

I am from Haiti and do not have TPS. Can I apply? 

Maybe. If you have continuously resided in the United States as of June 3, 2024, and you are otherwise eligible, you may register for TPS during the registration period for first-time applicants, which ends August 3, 2025. Talk to an immigration attorney to further discuss your specific situation.  

Does TPS Status provide a path to permanent residency? 

No, TPS does not provide a path to lawful permanent resident status. However, some TPS holders may be independently eligible to adjust status through a family-based, employment-based, or other legal avenue. Please consult with an immigration lawyer regarding this issue. 

Get Help 

The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM) provides free immigration legal services to low-income immigrants in a variety of immigration matters. For more information about how we can assist you, please visit our website at www.ilcm.org or call us at (651) 641-1011. 

 

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Fact Sheet: Temporary Protected Status for Honduras 

This fact sheet is current as of July 28, 2025. It is not legal advice. 

Through the Federal Register notice on July 8, 2025, the Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Honduras. The designation for Honduras expired on July 5, 2025. The termination will be effective September 8, 2025.  

What is temporary protected status (TPS)? 

TPS is granted by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to eligible foreign-born individuals who are unable to return home safely due to conditions or circumstances preventing their return to their home country. 

During the designated TPS period, TPS holders are not removable from the United States and not detainable by DHS based on their immigration status. TPS holders are eligible for an employment authorization document (EAD), and eligible for travel authorization. 

What is the status of TPS for Honduras? 

For the 18-month period beginning on January 6, 2024, and ending on July 5, 2025, the Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas extended and redesignated Honduras for TPS. Through the Federal Register notice on July 8, 2025, the Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem terminated the extension of TPS for Honduras.  

From the notice of termination on July 8, 2025, there is a 60-day transition period until the termination is effective on September 8, 2025, after 11:59pm. After September 8, 2025, nationals of Honduras (and people having no nationality who last habitually resided in Honduras) who hold TPS, will no longer have TPS.  

What happens to my employment authorization during the 60-day transition period? 

Between July 8, 2025, and September 8, 2025 (the 60-day transition period), Honduras TPS holders who already have employment authorization documents, continue to be employment authorized. After September 8, 2025, TPS is terminated along with its corresponding employment authorization.  

How do I apply for TPS? 

People interested in TPS must file an application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and pay the filing fee. They may also apply for an EAD and travel authorization. All individuals applying for TPS undergo security and background checks as part of determining eligibility.  

The application period for TPS for Honduras is closed as of July 5, 2025. No more applications are being accepted.
 

Is TPS status given automatically? 

No, TPS is not automatic. People must apply, pay a filing fee, and pass immigration screening. There are some facts that will make a person ineligible for TPS. For example, people with certain criminal convictions or who violated the human rights of others are not eligible for TPS. People who are inadmissible under certain sections of the law may have to file a waiver before they can be approved for TPS status. The application process can be complicated, and we recommend working with an immigration attorney. Please note, currently DHS is not accepting TPS applications for Honduras.  

How long will eligible individuals have protection under TPS? 

TPS is a temporary status. TPS for Honduras is terminated on September 8, 2025. After this date, Honduran nationals (and people having no nationality who last habitually resided in Honduras) who hold TPS status will no longer have TPS.  

I have a TPS for Honduras, can I apply to extend it? 

No, the TPS for Honduras extension was vacated by DHS.
 

I do not have TPS, can I apply for the first time? 

No, TPS applications for Honduras are not currently being accepted.
 

I am from Honduras, and I am in deportation proceedings. Can I apply for TPS to avoid deportation? 

No, you can no longer apply for TPS for Honduras. 

Does TPS Status provide a path to permanent residency? 

No, TPS does not provide a path to lawful permanent resident status. However, some TPS holders may be independently eligible to adjust status through a family-based, employment-based, or other legal avenue. Please consult with an immigration lawyer regarding this issue. 

May someone with a pending asylum application apply for TPS? 

Note: currently TPS applications for Honduras are not being accepted.  

Applying for TPS, or being granted TPS, does not affect a pending asylum application. However, asylum applicants should consider their preferred strategy in the event that their asylum application is not granted by USCIS. Based on this, we strongly recommend obtaining an immigration lawyer to discuss this question with you. 

If someone has TPS at the time their asylum application is denied, USCIS cannot refer their asylum case to an immigration judge where the applicant may present the asylum claim for reconsideration. Thus, if you have a weak asylum case that is unlikely to be granted by an immigration judge and have no other relief available, it may be best to proceed with applying for TPS. Those who have a strong case for asylum may prefer not to apply for TPS until after the affirmative asylum application has been denied. Again, it is important to obtain an immigration lawyer to discuss the merits of your asylum application. 

Note that obtaining TPS status will “stop the clock” on the requirement to file for asylum within one year of arriving in the United States if the one-year clock has not already expired. 

Get Help 

The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM) provides free immigration legal services to low-income immigrants in a variety of immigration matters. For more information about how we can assist you, please visit our website at www.ilcm.org or call us at (651) 641-1011. 

 

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Fact Sheet: Temporary Protected Status for Nicaragua 

This fact sheet is current as of July 28, 2025. It is not legal advice. 

Through the Federal Register notice on July 8, 2025, the Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Nicaragua. The designation for Nicaragua expired on July 5, 2025. The termination will be effective September 8, 2025.  

What is temporary protected status (TPS)? 

TPS is granted by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to eligible foreign-born individuals who are unable to return home safely due to conditions or circumstances preventing their return to their home country. 

During the designated TPS period, TPS holders are not removable from the United States and not detainable by DHS based on their immigration status. TPS holders are eligible for an employment authorization document (EAD), and eligible for travel authorization. 

What is the status of TPS for Nicaragua? 

For the 18-month period beginning on January 6, 2024, and ending on July 5, 2025, the Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas extended and redesignated Nicaragua for TPS. Through the Federal Register notice on July 8, 2025, the Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem terminated the extension of TPS for Nicaragua.  

From the notice of termination on July 8, 2025, there is a 60-day transition period until the termination is effective on September 8, 2025, after 11:59pm. After September 8, 2025, nationals of Nicaragua (and people having no nationality who last habitually resided in Nicaragua) who hold TPS, will no longer have TPS.  

What happens to my employment authorization during the 60-day transition period? 

Between July 8, 2025, and September 8, 2025 (the 60-day transition period), Nicaragua TPS holders who already have employment authorization documents, continue to be employment authorized. After September 8, 2025, TPS is terminated along with its corresponding employment authorization.  

How do I apply for TPS? 

People interested in TPS must file an application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and pay the filing fee. They may also apply for an EAD and travel authorization. All individuals applying for TPS undergo security and background checks as part of determining eligibility.  

The application period for TPS for Nicaragua is closed as of July 5, 2025. No more applications are being accepted.
 

Is TPS status given automatically? 

No, TPS is not automatic. People must apply, pay a filing fee, and pass immigration screening. There are some facts that will make a person ineligible for TPS. For example, people with certain criminal convictions or who violated the human rights of others are not eligible for TPS. People who are inadmissible under certain sections of the law may have to file a waiver before they can be approved for TPS status. The application process can be complicated, and we recommend working with an immigration attorney. Please note, currently DHS is not accepting TPS applications for Nicaragua.  

How long will eligible individuals have protection under TPS? 

TPS is a temporary status. TPS for Nicaragua is terminated on September 8, 2025. After this date, Nicaraguan nationals (and people having no nationality who last habitually resided in Nicaragua) who hold TPS status will no longer have TPS.  

I have a TPS for Nicaragua, can I apply to extend it? 

No, the TPS for Nicaragua extension was vacated by DHS.
 

I do not have TPS, can I apply for the first time? 

No, TPS applications for Nicaragua are not currently being accepted.
 

I am from Nicaragua, and I am in deportation proceedings. Can I apply for TPS to avoid deportation? 

No, you can no longer apply for TPS for Nicaragua. 

Does TPS Status provide a path to permanent residency? 

No, TPS does not provide a path to lawful permanent resident status. However, some TPS holders may be independently eligible to adjust status through a family-based, employment-based, or other legal avenue. Please consult with an immigration lawyer regarding this issue. 

May someone with a pending asylum application apply for TPS? 

Note: currently TPS applications for Nicaragua are not being accepted.  

Applying for TPS, or being granted TPS, does not affect a pending asylum application. However, asylum applicants should consider their preferred strategy in the event that their asylum application is not granted by USCIS. Based on this, we strongly recommend obtaining an immigration lawyer to discuss this question with you. 

If someone has TPS at the time their asylum application is denied, USCIS cannot refer their asylum case to an immigration judge where the applicant may present the asylum claim for reconsideration. Thus, if you have a weak asylum case that is unlikely to be granted by an immigration judge and have no other relief available, it may be best to proceed with applying for TPS. Those who have a strong case for asylum may prefer not to apply for TPS until after the affirmative asylum application has been denied. Again, it is important to obtain an immigration lawyer to discuss the merits of your asylum application. 

Note that obtaining TPS status will “stop the clock” on the requirement to file for asylum within one year of arriving in the United States if the one-year clock has not already expired. 

Get Help 

The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM) provides free immigration legal services to low-income immigrants in a variety of immigration matters. For more information about how we can assist you, please visit our website at www.ilcm.org or call us at (651) 641-1011. 

 

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Current as of July 1, 2025

In June, the Minnesota Legislature passed a bill to roll back MinnesotaCare (MNCare) health insurance coverage for undocumented adults.

Minnesota Department of Human Services bulletin is available here.

See frequently asked questions below:

What is MNCare?
MNCare, also known as MinnesotaCare, is a state-funded health insurance program that serves low-income people.

When does the rollback take effect?
On January 1, 2026, undocumented Minnesotans ages 18 and older will no longer be eligible for MNCare coverage.

I am an undocumented adult and don’t have health insurance. Can I apply for MNCare coverage now?
No. The application window closed on June 15, 2025. The state is no longer accepting MNCare applications for undocumented adults.

What if I am undocumented and currently have coverage?
Your coverage will extend through the end of 2025 and will expire January 1, 2026 for anyone who is 18 or older.

Are undocumented children still eligible?
Yes, anyone under the age of 18 is still eligible for MNCare coverage.

 

View a printable PDF version here