A USA federal judge in Massachusetts has issued a ruling to block the administration’s attempt to terminate the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 5,000 Ethiopian nationals. The decision, delivered on Wednesday, provides a significant legal reprieve for these individuals, who were facing the prospect of losing their legal residency and work authorization. The court’s intervention ensures that the current protections remain in place while a more comprehensive judicial review of the policy continues.
The ruling was prompted by a legal challenge arguing that the administration’s move to end the status lacked a sufficient legal basis. Advocates for the Ethiopian community, including the group African Communities Together, successfully argued that the initial decision failed to properly account for the ongoing humanitarian and security challenges in Ethiopia. U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy noted that the government must adhere to strict procedural requirements, stating that “presidential whims do not and cannot supplant agencies’ statutory obligations.”
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had previously contended that conditions in Ethiopia had improved sufficiently to justify the termination of the program. Officials argued that the temporary nature of the protection is designed to be lifted once the original triggers—such as active conflict or environmental disasters—show signs of stabilization. The administration maintained that the executive branch holds the authority to determine when a country is safe enough for its citizens to return, calling the ruling an example of “judicial activism.”
In contrast, the court highlighted evidence suggesting that instability in several regions of Ethiopia remains a significant barrier to safe repatriation. The ruling emphasized that the safety of the 5,000 individuals must be a primary consideration, and that forcing a return during a period of localized unrest could lead to irreparable harm. This perspective aligns with reports from human rights organizations that have been documenting persistent armed conflict and humanitarian suffering within the country.
While this decision marks a victory for the affected Ethiopian nationals, it is not a permanent resolution. The stay is temporary, pending a final review of the administration’s policy-making process, and the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to hear similar cases involving other nations later this month. As both sides prepare for the next phase of litigation, the 5,000 Ethiopians covered by the program will retain their right to live and work in the United States.