DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin is facing criticism after comments about Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders pursuing other legal immigration pathways drew backlash from MAGA supporters who argued the policy did not go far enough.
During a National Governors Association meeting on immigration enforcement and reform, Mullin said individuals who receive TPS are not required to remain in that temporary status indefinitely and can attempt to pursue other legal options, including lawful permanent resident status or family-based visas.
“What I encourage people to do is help yourself,” Mullin said. “You have to try to go through the system legally.”
Mullin said TPS is temporary by definition and argued that ending the program does not prevent individuals from seeking another lawful status.
“If you came over and you got Temporary Protected Status and the name itself says temporary, yes, we’re ending the Temporary Protected Status because it’s temporary,” Mullin said.
“But that doesn’t mean that while you’re here underneath Temporary Protected Status, you can’t try to change your status,” he continued. “It doesn’t mean you can’t enroll to try and become an LPR [lawful permanent resident]. That doesn’t mean you can’t go for a family visa.”
Mullin said those seeking to remain in the United States must take steps through the legal immigration system.
“You have to make an effort to change,” Mullin said. “And I can’t help you if you can’t help yourself.”
The comments prompted criticism from several MAGA-aligned commentators on X, who argued Mullin’s position conflicted with calls for stricter immigration enforcement.
Nick Sortor criticized the idea that TPS holders could pursue legal status while already in the United States, writing that individuals should apply for legal status from their home countries instead.
RedWave Press also criticized Mullin’s remarks, writing, “Mullin has been an UTTER disgrace and a disaster.”
Other X users also shared their frustrations, with one X users arguing that Mullin was treating the word “temporary” as optional and called for deportation of individuals without permanent legal status.
Following the criticism, Mullin issued a statement rejecting claims that his comments represented support for amnesty.
“NO amnesty for illegal aliens. Ever. We are a nation of laws,” Mullin wrote on X. “If you are illegally present in the United States of America— you will be detained and deported. Period.”
The statement did not end criticism from some Trump-aligned voices.
Sortor responded by questioning whether Mullin’s position aligned with broader calls for expanded deportations, referencing comments about Immigration and Customs Enforcement focusing on certain individuals.
Matt Van Swol also challenged Mullin’s approach, arguing enforcement should apply to all individuals living in the country illegally rather than only those considered high-priority cases.
“If we are NOT deporting EVERYONE, isn’t that amnesty?” Van Swol wrote.
Megan Basham of The Daily Wire criticized Mullin’s mention during the interview that nearly 900,000 people had become U.S. citizens over the previous 12 months, questioning whether that approach reflected the views of Republican voters.
During the meeting, Mullin also discussed broader immigration reform, saying lawmakers have struggled for decades to reach an agreement.
He said previous attempts at reform failed because lawmakers were unable to reach a compromise and argued that a workable solution would require negotiations rather than seeking a perfect bill.
Mullin said immigration laws must be enforced while legal pathways remain available for those who qualify.
He also discussed changes to employment-based visa programs, saying industries, labor groups, and government officials should work together to address workforce needs.
He said some jobs that were once considered seasonal have become year-round positions and argued that future immigration policies should involve employers and labor groups while prioritizing American workers and enforcing the nation’s immigration laws.
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