The Trump team is working overtime to secure the southern border. That is priority number one.
That’s why the Trump admin has reached an historic border security deal that changes everything.
Trump Administration Secures Border with Bold Asylum Agreements and TPS Termination
The Trump administration is taking decisive action to strengthen U.S. border security, with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announcing a groundbreaking agreement with Honduras and Guatemala to accept asylum seekers attempting to enter the United States. This move, unveiled on the final day of Noem’s Central America trip, marks a significant step in the administration’s aggressive campaign to curb illegal immigration and prioritize national security.
The agreements with Honduras and Guatemala establish these nations as viable destinations for migrants seeking refuge, offering an alternative to the United States as the default safe haven. Noem emphasized the importance of providing options for those fleeing perilous conditions abroad. “Honduras and now Guatemala after today will be countries that will take those individuals and give them refugee status as well,” Noem said. “We’ve never believed that the United States should be the only option, that the guarantee for a refugee is that they go somewhere to be safe and to be protected from whatever threat they face in their country. It doesn’t necessarily have to be the United States.”
This initiative builds on an earlier agreement with Guatemala, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which initially positioned the country as a transitional hub for migrants being repatriated. The new deal expands Guatemala’s role, allowing it to fully accept migrants as refugees, aligning with the administration’s vision of a regional approach to migration management. The United States already maintains a similar asylum agreement with Canada, demonstrating a consistent strategy to distribute responsibility across allied nations.
Mexico, however, declined to sign a similar agreement with the U.S. on Tuesday, though it has accepted over 5,000 migrants deported from the United States since President Trump took office. This development highlights the administration’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws while fostering cooperation with neighboring countries to manage migration flows effectively.
In a parallel move, the Department of Homeland Security is terminating Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 520,000 Haitians residing in the U.S. The TPS designation for Haiti, set to expire on August 3, 2025, will officially end on September 2, 2025. A DHS spokesperson stated, “This decision restores integrity in our immigration system and ensures that Temporary Protective Status is actually temporary.”
The decision to revoke TPS for Haitians follows a thorough review by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which concluded that Haiti’s environmental conditions have stabilized sufficiently to allow for the safe return of its citizens. “The environmental situation in Haiti has improved enough that it is safe for Haitian citizens to return home,” the DHS spokesperson added. “We encourage these individuals to take advantage of the Department’s resources in returning to Haiti, which can be arranged through the CBP Home app. Haitian nationals may pursue lawful status through other immigration benefit requests, if eligible.”
To facilitate a smooth transition, DHS is offering Haitians under TPS access to the CBP Home app, which provides a complimentary plane ticket and a $1,000 exit bonus for those opting for voluntary departure. This innovative approach bolsters the administration’s commitment to humane yet firm immigration enforcement, ensuring compliance while offering practical support.
The TPS program, established by Congress in the Immigration Act of 1990, was designed to provide temporary refuge for residents of countries facing natural disasters, war, or other extraordinary conditions. However, the Trump administration views the program’s overuse as a loophole that has allowed prolonged stays without clear justification. By rolling back TPS designations, the administration is fulfilling a key campaign promise to secure the border and address illegal immigration head-on.
This rollback also extends to a recent TPS designation for Venezuelans, granted by President Joe Biden in 2021 and renewed just before he left office in January 2025. The designation, which would have covered roughly 300,000 Venezuelan nationals from April 3, 2025, to October 2, 2026, has been rescinded by the Trump administration, aligning with its goal to reverse policies perceived as lax.
The termination of TPS for Haitians will impact approximately 520,000 migrants, according to USCIS spokesperson Matthew Tragesser. This significant step demonstrates the administration’s determination to restore order to an immigration system strained by years of unchecked migration, particularly during the Biden administration.
President Trump’s immigration policies prioritize American sovereignty and public safety, focusing on deporting individuals who have committed serious crimes and streamlining the asylum process. The agreements with Honduras and Guatemala are part of a strategy to deter illegal border crossings by ensuring migrants have safe alternatives closer to their home countries.
Critics of the administration’s policies argue that terminating TPS and redirecting asylum seekers could strain relations with Central American nations. However, supporters contend that these measures are necessary to protect U.S. borders and encourage lawful immigration pathways. The administration’s proactive stance has already led to increased deportations, with a focus on removing those who pose a threat to public safety.
The Trump administration’s multifaceted approach—combining international agreements, TPS termination, and enhanced deportation efforts—demonstrates a resolute commitment to immigration reform. By leveraging technology like the CBP Home app and fostering regional partnerships, the administration is modernizing immigration enforcement while maintaining a focus on national security.
