A judge in the United States has reportedly blocked the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ethiopians, dealing a setback to the immigration policy agenda of President Donald Trump.
According to media reports, U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy found yesterday that the administration’s attempt to terminate the protections was unlawful. These protections allow Ethiopian nationals to reside and work in the United States without fear of deportation.
The judge said the decision to terminate TPS disregarded procedures established by Congress, stressing that executive authority does not override statutory obligations. He further indicated that the administration’s directive suggested outcomes on TPS decisions were predetermined rather than based on an objective assessment of conditions in Ethiopia.
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Temporary Protected Status is granted to nationals of countries facing armed conflict, environmental disasters or other extraordinary conditions. Ethiopians in the U.S. were first granted the designation in 2022 under former President Joe Biden, citing ongoing conflict and humanitarian concerns. The protection was later extended in 2024.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced in December that Ethiopia no longer met the criteria for TPS and planned to end the designation in February 2025. The move would have affected more than 5,000 Ethiopians.
However, the court found that DHS failed to follow proper legal procedures and relied on what it described as a “pretextual” justification. The ruling also noted that armed conflict and other challenges persist in parts of Ethiopia, raising questions about the safety of returning nationals.
In response, DHS criticized the decision, calling it an example of judicial interference with the administration’s efforts to tighten immigration controls. The department has maintained that TPS is intended to be temporary and should not lead to long-term residency.
The case was brought by Ethiopian nationals and advocacy groups, who argued that conditions in Ethiopia remain unsafe and that the termination was not based on a genuine review.
