The Trump administration has fired multiple federal employees with Temporary Protected Status for the first time in US history, a sweeping move that is redefining who can work for the US government.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the dismissals on Friday, July 10, 2026. The terminations affect TPS holders across several federal agencies who have legally worked in the United States for years.
The move marks a significant shift in policy. Previously, TPS holders were eligible for federal employment under existing immigration laws. The administration argues that only US citizens and permanent residents should hold government jobs, a position that critics say is politically motivated and economically shortsighted.
Who Is Affected
TPS holders are individuals from countries experiencing war, natural disaster, or other extraordinary conditions that prevent their safe return. The program currently protects hundreds of thousands of people from countries including El Salvador, Honduras, Haiti, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.
Many of those fired had worked for the federal government for years, some holding high-level positions in departments such as Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, and the State Department.
The Administration’s Justification
White House officials have defended the move, arguing that federal jobs should be reserved for US citizens and lawful permanent residents. The administration has framed the policy as a matter of national security and economic fairness.
“Federal jobs are a public trust. They should go to Americans,” a senior administration official said. “This is about putting American workers first.”
The administration has also pointed to the growing number of TPS holders in the federal workforce as a reason for the policy change.
The Critics’ Response
Immigrant advocacy groups and legal experts have condemned the policy as discriminatory and legally questionable. They argue that TPS holders have been lawfully present in the United States and have contributed to the federal government for years.
“This is a cynical attempt to target vulnerable people who have done nothing wrong,” said a spokesperson for the National Immigration Law Center. “These workers have been following the rules and serving their country. This policy is about cruelty, not common sense.”
Some legal experts have also questioned whether the administration has the authority to implement such a sweeping policy change without congressional approval.
The Bottom Line
The Trump administration has fired federal employees with Temporary Protected Status for the first time in US history, affecting workers across multiple agencies. The policy marks a significant departure from past practice and has drawn sharp criticism from immigrant advocates and legal experts. The administration argues that federal jobs should be reserved for US citizens and permanent residents. The move is likely to face legal challenges.
