On November 6, 2017, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation would be terminated for Nicaragua, effective January 5, 2019.  Since January 5, 1999, the TPS designation allowed certain Nicaraguans with continuous residence in the United States since December 30, 1998, to remain, live and work in the United States over the past two decades.  As a result of this change, the approximately 2,500 Nicaraguan nationals holding TPS status will need to depart the United States or change their U.S. immigration status by January 5, 2019.

DHS also announced that it would require more time to determine whether TPS would be extended or terminated for approximately 57,000 Hondurans currently holding TPS.  The designation is set to expire on January 5, 2018.

The TPS designations of Haiti and El Salvador are also set to expire soon on January 22, 2018, and March 9, 2018, respectively.

Nicaraguans, as well as nationals of El Salvador, Haiti, and Honduras, holding TPS are encouraged to seek legal advice on other possible U.S. visa options and retaining work authorization as soon as possible before the program ends.