A federal judge dealt a major blow to the Trump administration on Friday by blocking efforts to end temporary legal protections for more than 1 million people from Venezuela and Haiti.
The ruling ensures these individuals can continue living and working in the U.S., at least for the time being.
U.S. District Judge Edward Chen of San Francisco ruled that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem exceeded her authority in attempting to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for these groups.
Chen said Noem’s actions “exceeded her statutory authority and were arbitrary and capricious,” providing legal relief to 600,000 Venezuelans whose protections had expired in April or were set to expire on Sept. 10.
TPS allows individuals from countries experiencing natural disasters, political unrest, or unsafe conditions to reside and work legally in the U.S.
Designations are granted for six, twelve, or 18 months and can be extended if conditions remain dangerous, per the New York Post.
Without TPS, migrants face deportation and lose the ability to earn a lawful living.
Noem moved quickly after taking office to reverse three extensions granted by the previous administration.
She argued that conditions in Venezuela and Haiti had improved and that continued protections were not in the national interest.
The decision prompted an immediate lawsuit, which led to Friday’s judicial intervention.
Venezuela remains mired in crisis. Millions have fled the country due to hyperinflation, political corruption, mass unemployment, and widespread hunger. Humanitarian conditions remain dire, and the country has yet to recover from years of mismanagement.
Haiti’s designation for TPS began in 2010 following a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 earthquake that killed and wounded hundreds of thousands and left over a million people homeless.
Today, Haitians continue to face rampant gang violence, political instability, and food insecurity. For many, TPS remains a lifeline.
Judge Chen’s decision underscores the limits of executive authority over immigration policy.
The ruling preserves the protections granted under the TPS program, affirming that abrupt terminations require a solid legal basis. Critics of the Trump administration’s move argue that ending TPS without clear evidence of improved conditions would put vulnerable populations at risk.
The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the ruling. For now, TPS holders from Venezuela and Haiti can continue to reside and work in the U.S., providing temporary stability for families who have already endured years of hardship.
The court decision comes amid broader scrutiny of the Trump administration’s immigration policies. While Noem framed the revocations as a matter of national interest, advocates for TPS argue that the protections are critical for humanitarian reasons.
Millions of Venezuelans and Haitians rely on the ability to live legally in the U.S., support their families, and contribute to local economies.
TPS has long been a controversial tool in U.S. immigration policy, balancing national security with humanitarian obligations. Judge Chen’s ruling highlights that even sweeping executive actions must remain within legal bounds and that the courts will intervene when procedural or statutory limits are violated.
For now, over 1 million Venezuelans and Haitians retain their right to live and work in the U.S., securing a temporary reprieve from deportation and uncertainty.
The decision marks a major check on the Trump administration’s approach to immigration policy and ensures that vulnerable communities are not abruptly displaced.
