Daily Archives: February 10, 2026
Urgent Action: Halt Ethiopia TPS Termination Now
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
URGENT PETITION: HUMANITARIAN GROUPS PLEA FOR LAST-MINUTE HALT TO ETHIOPIA TPS TERMINATION
With just 48 hours remaining before a critical deportation protection expires, the Oromia Support Group (OSG) is issuing a global call to action. A petition on Change.org, directed at Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, demands the immediate rescission of the decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of Ethiopia, including the Oromo people.
The termination, set for February 13, will revoke the legal right of approximately 2,200 Ethiopians to live and work in the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) decision, announced last year, concludes that conditions in Ethiopia—a country grappling with recent conflict, severe drought, and ongoing human rights concerns—no longer warrant temporary humanitarian protection.
“This decision implies Ethiopia is now a safe place to deport people to, which contradicts the reality on the ground,” said Dr. Trevor Trueman, Chair of the Oromia Support Group. “We are in a race against time to prevent the return of individuals to a situation of extreme peril.”
The petition explicitly holds Secretary Noem, who oversees U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), accountable. It references controversial ICE actions, alleging the agency has “detained thousands of immigrants, including children, in hostile detention centres many hundreds of miles from their homes, families, and legal representatives.” The petition frames the appeal as a chance for the public to “register disapproval of the actions of the DHS, including ICE.”
Dr. Trueman specifically addressed potential concerns about the petition’s organizer, the Ethiopian American Association. He emphasized it is a young, non-partisan organization with no nationalistic bias within Ethiopia. “Unlike other similarly-named organisations, it does not exhibit an anti-Oromo bias,” he stated, noting that its President, Aga Ambissa Ayana, is a former Oromo refugee himself, whom Trueman met in Nairobi in 2010 prior to his resettlement in the U.S.
Advocates warn that without TPS, beneficiaries will face imminent deportation to a country still recovering from a devastating civil war and facing severe humanitarian crises in several regions, including Oromia. The termination affects those who have built lives, families, and careers in the U.S., often for several years.
The Petition can be found here: https://www.change.org/…/protect-tps-holders-of…
About the Oromia Support Group:
The OSG is a UK-based advocacy organization focused on human rights and political issues concerning the Oromo people of Ethiopia.
Contact: Dr. Trevor Trueman, Chair, Oromia Support Group.
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Note to Editors: The DHS has stated the termination is based on a thorough assessment of country conditions. Requests for comment from the Department of Homeland Security on this specific petition were not immediately returned.
Love and Understanding: Join Our Online Peace Academy
Subtitle: Join the Australian Religious Peace Academy (ARPA) for an Evening of Dialogue, Trivia, and Shared Insight
In a world that often highlights our differences, we believe peace begins with a simple, courageous act: choosing to understand one another.
We warmly invite you to the February Australian Religious Peace Academy (ARPA) Interfaith & Intercultural Dialogue—an interactive gathering designed to inspire connection, curiosity, and shared insight across cultures and faiths.
Event Details:
- 📅 Date: Tuesday, 24 February
- 🕐 Time: 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
- 📍 Location: Online via Zoom
- 🔗 Registration: https://forms.gle/oCCwzo6p3LqKoq3L6
This Month’s Theme: “Love Starts with Understanding”
We will explore how empathy, open dialogue, and a willingness to learn from one another can transform relationships and strengthen our communities. When we take time to truly understand, love grows naturally—and peace becomes possible.
What to Expect:
This will be a lively and interactive evening! We’ll engage through a game of cultural and religious trivia, where you’ll have the opportunity to discover new perspectives, put your knowledge to the test, and build genuine understanding in a welcoming and enjoyable space.
We’ll also introduce our upcoming major event, the International Religious Peace Academy (IRPA), beginning on Saturday, 28 February. Learn how this global gathering invites us to build religious harmony through deepening our understanding of one another’s faiths and lived experiences.
Whether you are new to ARPA or a returning participant, your voice and presence matter. We would be honoured to have you join us for this meaningful and uplifting session.
Let’s come together to learn, connect, and rediscover how understanding can be the true starting point of love and lasting peace.
Please register via the link above to secure your spot and receive the Zoom details.
#ARPA #InterfaithDialogue #Intercultural #LoveStartsWithUnderstanding #Peacebuilding #Community #OnlineEvent #ReligiousHarmony #AustralianDialogue
A Titan’s Farewell: Seattle Bids Final Goodbye to Obbo Maammaa Argoo, Pillar of the Oromo Struggle
Subtitle: A Hero’s Funeral at Bole International Airport Honors a Life of Service, From Shashamanne to Seattle.
SEATTLE, USA – Under solemn skies, the global Oromo community gathered at Bole International Airport to perform the final rites of honor (Sirna Simannaa) for a true giant of the Oromo struggle and a foundational pillar of the diaspora: Obbo Maammaa Argoo.
His passing marks not just a personal loss, but the closing of a chapter in modern Oromo history. Obbo Maammaa Argoo was a man who never left the side of his people, fighting for Oromumma until his final breath, as his life story powerfully attests.
The dignified funeral service was attended by elders, prominent figures, political leaders, and countless community members, a testament to the vast and profound impact of his decades of unwavering service.
A Life of Action, From the Heart of Oromia to the Heart of the Diaspora:
Born in 1946 in Shashamanne, West Arsi, Obbo Maammaa Argoo’s commitment to his people ignited early. In the 1960s, he and his peers launched literacy campaigns in their local area, establishing schools and teaching in remote villages—a foundational act of empowerment.
After immigrating to the United States in 1989, settling first in Washington D.C. and then moving to Seattle in 1992, he immediately began serving the Oromo community with visionary leadership. He helped build the Seattle Oromo community from the ground up, serving in various leadership capacities.
His legacy is etched in the preservation of identity. For over 27 years, he tirelessly organized weekly programs to teach Oromo children their language, culture, history, and sense of self—ensuring the flame of Oromumma burned bright in a new land.
He was also a key architect of unity and institution-building. His instrumental role in founding the Oromo Soccer Federation and Sports Association in North America (OSFNA) stands as a monumental achievement, creating a lasting platform for community cohesion, pride, and networking across the continent.
A Man of Family and Principle:
Beyond his public life, Obbo Maammaa Argoo was a devoted family man, a loving husband, and a father to five children. He was widely known as a steadfast advocate for human rights and actively participated in numerous charitable and social service initiatives in Seattle.
Today, as we lay him to rest at Bole International Airport, we do not say goodbye to his spirit. We commit to carrying forward the institutions he built, the language he taught, and the unwavering love for Oromia he embodied. His name will forever be synonymous with dedication, resilience, and the boundless potential of community service.
Rest in perfect peace, Obbo Maammaa Argoo. Your work is done, but your light will forever guide our path.
#MaammaaArgoo #OromoHero #SeattleOromo #OSFNA #OromoDiaspora #RestInPower #Simannaa
In His Light, We Remember: A Candlelight Vigil for Professor Asmarom Legesse
Subtitle: An Evening to Honor the Scholar Who Illuminated the Soul of the Oromo Nation
The flame of a candle does more than push back the darkness; it creates a space for memory, for gathering, and for honoring a light that once burned brilliantly among us. Join us as we come together in quiet solidarity to celebrate the life, legacy, and eternal wisdom of Professor Asmarom Legesse.
Professor Legesse was more than an anthropologist; he was a guardian of civilization. His seminal, tireless work was the bedrock upon which the world came to understand the sophistication, depth, and democratic brilliance of the Gadaa System. Through his meticulous scholarship, he did not merely study Oromo history—he preserved its constitutional soul for future generations, affirming its place in the global canon of indigenous political thought.
His dedication was an act of profound love for the Oromo people, ensuring our identity is documented with the academic rigor and dignity it deserves. His legacy is an indelible mark on our history, a torch that continues to guide scholars, leaders, and all who seek justice rooted in ancient wisdom.
You are warmly invited to an evening of reflection, prayer, and shared light.
- Host: OLF Victoria Chapter
- Date: Saturday, 14th February 2026
- Time: 5:30 PM onwards
- Location: Ross House Association, Level 4, 251 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, 3000
Let us gather, candles in hand, to share stories, offer prayers, and reaffirm our commitment to the principles he so eloquently championed. In the soft glow of our collective light, we will ensure that his wisdom is never extinguished.
Let his wisdom shine eternally.
#ProfessorAsmaromLegesse #GadaaSystem #OromoHistory #CandlelightVigil #MelbourneEvent #OLFVictoria #LegacyOfLight
Advocacy for Oromia 