In a decision that affects thousands of Ethiopian immigrants across the United States, U.S. District Court Judge Brian E. Murphy ruled on Tuesday that the Trump administration may proceed with ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for about 5,000 individuals. The ruling came after African Communities Together, an advocacy group for African immigrants, asked the court to delay the termination while its legal challenge proceeds.
Background on TPS and the Ethiopian case
TPS is a humanitarian program that grants temporary permission to live and work in the United States to people fleeing war, natural disasters, or other crises. The program does not provide a permanent pathway to citizenship; it is intended as a short‑term safety net. The Trump administration has argued that TPS designations are inherently temporary and should not be extended indefinitely.
In 2022, the Biden administration granted TPS to certain Ethiopians who arrived in the United States after the outbreak of armed conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region. The designation was extended in 2024 by then‑Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, citing ongoing violence and humanitarian concerns. The Department of Homeland Security sought to end the protection in February, but the effort was blocked by Judge Murphy before it could take effect.
The court’s ruling
Judge Murphy, a Biden appointee, rejected the plaintiffs’ argument that the Department of Homeland Security lacked authority to terminate the status and that the move violated the due‑process rights guaranteed by the Constitution. The plaintiffs also claimed that the authority to end TPS rested with the Attorney General, not the Secretary of Homeland Security. The judge found no legal basis for those claims and allowed the administration’s termination to proceed.
Wider implications
This decision follows a series of recent rulings that have cleared the way for the administration to end TPS for other national groups, including immigrants from Syria, Haiti, South Sudan, and Somalia. Earlier this summer, the Supreme Court upheld the administration’s authority to end TPS for Syrians and Haitians, opening the door to potential deportations for hundreds of thousands of individuals.
The termination of TPS for Ethiopians adds to a growing wave of immigration policy changes that could affect more than a million people who have been living and working legally in the United States under temporary humanitarian relief.
Responses from advocacy groups
African Communities Together expressed disappointment, stating that the decision puts vulnerable families at risk of separation and undermines the humanitarian purpose of TPS. The organization plans to continue its legal challenge, emphasizing the ongoing conflict in Ethiopia, which the African Union estimates has caused hundreds of thousands of deaths.
Critics of the administration’s approach argue that ending TPS without a clear, permanent solution disregards the safety and stability of families who have built lives in the United States. Supporters contend that TPS should not become a de‑facto permanent status and that Congress should address long‑term solutions for these immigrants.
What’s next?
The legal battle over Ethiopian TPS is expected to continue in higher courts. In the meantime, the Department of Homeland Security is preparing to implement the termination, which could lead to removal proceedings for the affected individuals unless they obtain another form of legal status.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
