On July 8th, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Alejandro N. Mayorkas redesignated Yemen for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Secretary Mayorkas’ decision will allow Yemeni nationals currently residing in the United States to safely remain in the U.S. and contribute to their communities through March 3, 2026.
What is TPS?
Nationals of countries that receive a TPS designation receive permission to reside and work in the United States until conditions improve back home. A TPS designation affords a temporary lifeline for individuals from countries facing severe crises like ongoing conflict, natural disasters, or extraordinary conditions.
Current Conditions in Yemen: A Humanitarian Crisis
Since the conflict began in late March 2015, Yemen has been facing a severe and ongoing humanitarian crisis worsened by long-standing water scarcity. Approximately 17.8 million Yemenis lack access to safe drinking water and enough food, leading to widespread hunger and malnutrition. The Yemeni healthcare system, already strained beyond capacity, struggles to meet the overwhelming medical needs of its population, as only 50% of the facilities are operational due to shortages of staff, electricity, medication, and equipment. This has caused an alarming rise in transmission rates for preventable diseases like cholera and polio. More than 21 million people are displaced within Yemen or seeking refuge in neighboring countries, separating families and posing significant challenges for humanitarian aid providers.
Economically, Yemen has suffered greatly, with over 80% of the population now living below the poverty line since the conflict began. Public services, including education, have been severely affected, with only 65% of schools currently open. The conflict has resulted in the loss of over 377,000 civilian lives4 and has devastated infrastructure such as roads and airports, making it difficult for civilians to access essential resources and exacerbating economic decline.5 Given these circumstances—limited resources, damaged infrastructure, economic decline, political instability, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis—it remains unsafe for Yemeni nationals to return home, prompting the U.S. government to extend and redesignate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Yemeni nationals.
Who Does This Impact?
This decision impacts approximately 2,300 current TPS beneficiaries who can now stay until March 2026, provided they meet eligibility criteria. Additionally, an estimated 1,700 newly eligible Yemeni nationals, residing continuously in the U.S. since July 2024, can apply for TPS and gain legal work authorization.
For more information on TPS for Yemen, including application details, visit the official USCIS website at www.uscis.gov.