A federal judge in Massachusetts on Wednesday postponed the termination of temporary protected status (TPS) for Ethiopian immigrants in the U.S., ruling that the Trump administration unlawfully attempted to end the designation. U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy found the administration disregarded congressional procedures in its December 2023 decision to end TPS for Ethiopia, which was set to take effect on February 13, 2024.
The Biden administration granted TPS to thousands of Ethiopian immigrants in 2022, allowing them to live and work in the U.S. without fear of deportation due to armed conflict or humanitarian crises in their home country. The status was extended in 2024.
Key Developments & Context
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) argued that Ethiopia no longer met the conditions for TPS, citing improved country conditions. However, Judge Murphy’s ruling emphasized that the administration violated statutory obligations by bypassing congressional processes.
Legal and Political Reactions
The judge’s order stated that the Trump administration’s actions undermined constitutional principles, asserting that presidential authority cannot override congressional mandates. The ruling is the latest setback for the Trump administration, which has sought to terminate TPS for 13 countries as part of broader immigration enforcement efforts.
The Supreme Court will hear arguments in April regarding TPS for Syrian and Haitian nationals, raising further legal questions about the program’s future.
DHS Response
DHS criticized the ruling, calling it an example of judicial activism and reiterating that TPS is meant to be temporary. The agency argued that Ethiopia’s conditions no longer justified the protections, aligning with the Trump administration’s stance on immigration enforcement.
Implications
The decision extends TPS protections for Ethiopian immigrants while legal challenges continue. The case highlights tensions between executive authority and congressional oversight in immigration policy.