A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Trump from ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 5,000 Ethiopian nationals living in the United States.
The ruling preserves legal protections that allow Ethiopians to reside and work in the country, halting a rollback ordered by the Trump administration in January 2025.
The Ethiopian TPS designation was originally created in 2022 under the Biden administration to protect individuals facing humanitarian crises, including armed conflict and instability in Ethiopia.
The designation was renewed in April 2024 and was scheduled to expire on Feb. 13.
Upon returning to office, President Trump directed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to rescind Ethiopia’s TPS status, asserting that conditions in the country had improved and emphasizing that temporary protections should remain temporary.
U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy of Massachusetts, a Biden appointee, issued the ruling on Wednesday, citing procedural violations in the administration’s termination of TPS protections.
“The Constitution requires that the President ‘take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed,’ a directive which includes enforcing the laws in accordance with congressional commands,” Murphy wrote.
He emphasized that the administration’s actions disregarded statutory procedures mandated by Congress and could not proceed without following proper administrative steps.
Earlier this year, Murphy issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) to halt the termination, citing ongoing legal concerns.
DHS had argued that Ethiopia no longer met the requirements for TPS, referencing a notice issued by then-Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.
With the judge’s order, the Feb. 13 expiration is now postponed pending resolution of the litigation, giving Ethiopian nationals continued legal status in the U.S. for the time being.
Plaintiffs, represented by African Communities Together and allied organizations, contended that ending TPS violated federal statute, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the Equal Protection Clause, Newsweek reported.
The court’s decision highlights the importance of following proper legal procedures and statutory requirements.
Experts note that even widely supported executive actions must adhere to Congress’s established rules to ensure fairness and accountability
DHS officials have voiced disagreement with the ruling and are coordinating with the Department of Justice on next steps.
A spokesperson told Fox News, “Temporary means temporary. Conditions in Ethiopia—including armed conflicts—have improved, meaning it no longer meets the legal requirements for Temporary Protected Status. The Trump administration is putting Americans first.”
The decision also highlights the broader context of TPS litigation nationwide.
According to Newsweek, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments later this year on the Trump administration’s attempt to terminate TPS for Haitian and Syrian nationals, affecting hundreds of thousands of individuals.
Advocates stress that strict adherence to statutory and administrative procedures is necessary to ensure fairness and protect communities relying on these protections.
For Ethiopian TPS recipients, the ruling offers temporary relief, allowing them to continue living and working legally in the U.S. while legal challenges proceed.
Judge Murphy’s order marks the latest judicial review of the Trump administration’s immigration efforts, highlighting that even broadly supported executive actions must comply with legal procedures.
As litigation continues, Ethiopian TPS recipients, legal experts, and policymakers will watch closely for its potential impact on future immigration decisions and the limits of executive authority.
