U.S. Court Rules Against Termination of Temporary Protected Status for Ethiopians

A recent ruling by U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy in Boston has blocked the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) attempt to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 5,000 Ethiopian nationals. This decision represents a significant legal setback for the Trump administration's immigration policies, particularly its efforts to limit TPS designations for 13 countries, including Ethiopia. TPS is a federal designation that provides eligible migrants with work authorization and temporary protection from deportation due to extraordinary conditions in their home countries, such as natural disasters or armed conflicts.

The TPS designation for Ethiopia was extended in April 2024, following a previous announcement by former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in December 2023 that the status would be terminated. Noem's rationale was that conditions in Ethiopia no longer posed a serious threat to returnees. However, Judge Murphy criticized this decision, stating that it disregarded the statutory procedures established by Congress and was based on a "pretextual" rationale. He emphasized that ongoing armed conflict and natural disasters in Ethiopia continue to create dangerous conditions for its citizens.

Judge Murphy, appointed by former President Joe Biden, highlighted that the executive order signed by Trump upon returning to office in January 2025 directed DHS to limit TPS designations. He argued that this directive indicated a predetermined outcome for TPS decisions, undermining the statutory obligations of federal agencies. Murphy stated, "Fundamental to this case—and indeed to our constitutional system—is the principle that the will of the President does not supersede that of Congress." This ruling underscores the tension between executive authority and legislative intent regarding immigration policy.

The lawsuit was brought forth by three Ethiopian nationals and the nonprofit organization African Communities Together, which contended that the administration's actions were motivated by an unconstitutional bias against non-white immigrants. They argued that the administration ignored the persistent dangers in Ethiopia, asserting that the rationale for terminating TPS was not genuine but rather a facade for discriminatory policies.

DHS did not provide immediate comments following the ruling. The decision may prompt further legal challenges or policy reviews regarding TPS designations for other countries. As the situation evolves, the implications of this ruling could influence future immigration policies under the current administration.

“Fundamental to this case—and indeed to our constitutional system—is the principle that the will of the President does not supersede that of Congress,” — Brian Murphy, U.S. District Judge

“signals that the outcome of designation, extension, and termination decisions will be preordained, rather than based on a meaningful review of in-country conditions.” — Brian Murphy, U.S. District Judge

“The plaintiffs argued the administration's stated rationale for its action was a pretext and not its true motivation for ending TPS, which they said was based on an unconstitutional animus against non-white immigrants.” — African Communities Together, Plaintiffs

“armed conflict and natural disasters continue to create dangerous conditions.” — Brian Murphy, U.S. District Judge