A federal judge has temporarily blocked the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ethiopian nationals in the United States, ruling that the Trump administration’s decision is likely unlawful and could cause irreparable harm if allowed to proceed.
In a major immigration ruling, Brian Murphy of the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a preliminary injunction postponing the end of TPS protections while litigation continues.
Court Preserves Status Quo Pending Legal Challenge
The ruling prevents the immediate removal of TPS protections for thousands of Ethiopians who have been allowed to live and work in the U.S. since the designation was granted in 2022 due to humanitarian concerns in Ethiopia.
The policy shift originated under the Department of Homeland Security, led at the time by Kristi Noem, which determined in December that conditions in Ethiopia no longer justified TPS designation.
However, plaintiffs—including a nonprofit organization and affected individuals—challenged the move, arguing that the government’s decision violated the Administrative Procedure Act by departing from established procedures and failing to provide adequate justification.
Legal Standard for Injunction Met
In granting the injunction, Judge Murphy applied the four-factor test required for preliminary relief, concluding that the plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits of their claims.
The court found that DHS may have acted “arbitrarily and capriciously” under federal law, particularly by allegedly failing to consult relevant agencies before terminating TPS—an action required under the governing statute.
Murphy also indicated that the plaintiffs’ argument—that the decision was pretextual and potentially driven by discriminatory or political motives—was sufficiently credible to proceed.
Risk of Irreparable Harm
Central to the ruling was the court’s finding that TPS holders would face immediate and severe consequences without judicial intervention.
The judge noted that affected individuals could lose employment authorization and face potential detention or removal to a country where conditions had previously been deemed unsafe.
Such outcomes, the court held, constitute irreparable harm—one of the key thresholds for granting injunctive relief under Title 5 of the U.S. Code.
Balancing Public Interest and Executive Authority
The court further determined that the balance of equities and public interest weighed in favor of the plaintiffs.
Judge Murphy emphasized that ensuring federal agencies comply with the law is a fundamental public interest, particularly when administrative decisions have far-reaching consequences on individuals’ lives and livelihoods.
Broader Immigration Policy Implications
While the ruling does not permanently restore TPS for Ethiopians, it delays the termination and allows the case to proceed through the courts.
The decision represents a legal setback for the Trump administration’s broader efforts to scale back TPS protections. Similar disputes are unfolding, including a pending appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court concerning TPS status for hundreds of thousands of Haitian nationals.
Legal analysts say the case could have wider implications for how courts evaluate administrative agency decisions, particularly those involving immigration and humanitarian protections.
