By Dalia Al-Aqidi

The US this month announced it will end Temporary Protected Status for Somali immigrants in March. The decision has sparked strong emotions, particularly in states like Minnesota, where a large Somali community has built deep roots. For many families, the news brings uncertainty and fear. For politicians, it has become another tool for outrage.

Beyond the noise, this moment offers a rare opportunity to move past slogans and talking points and instead approach the immigration debate with honesty, responsibility and clear-eyed judgment.

Temporary Protected Status was never meant to be permanent. It was created by Congress in 1990 as a humanitarian tool for people who could not safely return home due to war, natural disasters or extraordinary crises. It was designed to be temporary, reviewed regularly and ended when conditions no longer met the legal standard.

Today, the system is in rapid decline following a wave of terminations and legal challenges. Although some 17 countries have been designated for the program at various times, only a limited number retain full, active protections. El Salvador and Ukraine still have active extensions, while countries like Haiti, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Myanmar are seeing their protections end or remain in place only due to court orders.

Somalia was first designated for the scheme in 1991, during a period of complete state collapse and civil war. More than three decades later, what was meant to be a short-term protection has........

© Eurasia Review