Story perspectives

Judge Allows Trump to End TPS for 5,000 Ethiopians

8/20/2026

Center

Judge Murphy Ends TPS

Judge Brian Murphy ruled on August 19, 2026 that Trump administration may end Status for 5,000 Ethiopian nationals in United States.
DHS announced on X that terminated TPS holders are illegally present, must leave, and counsel James Percival hailed the decision.
The ruling lifted a temporary stay, permitting plaintiffs to continue a constitutional discrimination claim.
Supreme Court’s June 2026 decision ending Haiti and Syria TPS provided precedent for this case.

Left

Murphy Ends TPS

U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy ruled on August 19, 2026 that the Trump administration may end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 5,000 Ethiopian nationals in the United States.
Human-rights groups warn the decision threatens thousands of Ethiopians amid the country’s conflict.
The State Department lists Ethiopia under a travel advisory citing unrest, crime, kidnapping, terrorism and landmines.
The Biden administration granted TPS to Ethiopians in 2022 because of violent conflict and hardships.

Blindspot

Rights groups warned that terminating TPS could endanger thousands of Ethiopian nationals, citing the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia, and could force many to lose legal status.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1990, signed by President George H. W. Bush in 1990, created Temporary Protected Status, letting the Attorney General shield nationals from war or disaster and raised the immigration ceiling to 700,000 for 1992-94. TPS later covered Haiti and Ethiopia, and Judge Brian Murphy’s August 19, 2026 ruling ending Ethiopian TPS reflects the legacy of expanding and restricting the program.

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Judge Murphy Ends TPS

Judge Brian Murphy ruled on August 19, 2026 that Trump administration may end Status for 5,000 Ethiopian nationals in United States.
DHS announced on X that terminated TPS holders are illegally present, must leave, and counsel James Percival hailed the decision.
The ruling lifted a temporary stay, permitting plaintiffs to continue a constitutional discrimination claim.
Supreme Court’s June 2026 decision ending Haiti and Syria TPS provided precedent for this case.

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