Nepali TPS holders are facing heightened anxiety following Donald Trump’s reelection as U.S. President. Trump’s campaign promises to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and implement mass deportations have sparked fear among approximately 8,000 Nepalis currently protected under this program.
Many fear losing the protections they’ve relied on since the devastating 2015 earthquake in Nepal. Trump’s previous attempts to revoke TPS, along with his renewed pledge, have intensified concerns among these individuals.
New York-based Nepali American immigration attorney Keshab Raj Seadie described a complex landscape of concern, with Nepalis in various legal statuses fearing potential deportation. “I have seen three groups of people worried about their future in the U.S.,” Seadie said. “First, those with a final order of deportation, some with TPS and some without. Second, those with pending asylum but no TPS. Third, those with pending court removal cases, some with asylum or other applications, such as a pending I-485 or labor applications.”
According to Seadie, these individuals fear that changing standards under Trump’s administration may jeopardize their cases, exposing them to an uncertain future in the U.S.
Seadie advised families to prepare for the possibility of deportation, a prospect that feels increasingly imminent. “I would advise everyone to get your house and family matters in order, as if you will be picked up tomorrow, to lessen the impact on family members left behind,” he urged. He also recommended that those eligible for green card processing expedite their cases under the current rules, aiming to complete any hearings or interviews before new policies take effect.
Since Trump’s reelection, Seadie has reported a sharp uptick in calls from worried clients, many experiencing severe stress. “After the election results, I had a client tell me he was physically sick for four days, fearing what the future holds,” he shared.
Similarly, New York-based Nepali American immigration attorney Ramesh Shrestha confirmed that fear is widespread, not only among Nepalis but also within other immigrant communities. “There is a lot of fear and anxiety among both Nepali and non-Nepali communities. Their fear is very real,” Shrestha said.
During Trump’s previous term, he sought to end TPS protections for individuals from several countries, including Nepal, leading to legal battles that ultimately allowed TPS holders to retain their status. The Biden administration later extended TPS, temporarily stabilizing the legal footing of many immigrants.
In 2018, TPS holders filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to halt its efforts to terminate TPS for nearly 400,000 individuals, including Nepalis. Key plaintiffs representing Nepal in this case were Keshav Raj Bhattarai and Sajjan Pandey, who helped secure a preliminary injunction that preserved TPS status for five years. However, in 2023, a full bench of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned this injunction, leaving TPS holders vulnerable to policy changes under future administrations.
The Biden administration responded by reversing Trump’s decision to terminate TPS, extending it for nearly 300,000 individuals from El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua until June 24, 2025. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security announced an 18-month extension from December 25, 2023.
Many Nepali TPS holders now fear that Trump’s policies may again target TPS protections, which they say have provided a stable foundation for their lives in the U.S. An anonymous Nepali TPS holder expressed their concern: “The thought of losing TPS is terrifying. This status has given us stability and the chance to build our lives here. I just want to be able to continue living in peace without the constant worry of deportation.”
As Trump prepares to take office, anxiety remains high among these communities, with individuals and families caught in the uncertain landscape of U.S. immigration policy, hoping for a way to secure their futures in the country they’ve come to call home.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
