A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from revoking Temporary Protected Status for about 5,000 Ethiopians, delivering a significant legal victory for diaspora community members who had faced the prospect of deportation.
District Judge Brian Murphy issued the ruling on Thursday, marking the latest setback for the administration's efforts to roll back legal immigration status for people from largely non-Western countries. The decision ensures that Ethiopian TPS holders can continue to live and work in the United States without fear of deportation while legal challenges proceed.
The ruling addresses the administration's attempt to terminate TPS designations as part of a broader immigration crackdown. The Trump administration has attempted to eliminate TPS designations for 13 countries, part of its efforts to restrict migration to the US and expel certain groups already living in the country.
In his decision, Murphy cited Congress's role in setting standards for how Temporary Protected Status should be granted and revoked. Trump, the judge said, had ignored those procedures.
"Fundamental to this case — and indeed to our constitutional system — is the principle that the will of the President does not supersede that of Congress," Murphy wrote. "Presidential whims do not and cannot supplant agencies' statutory obligations."
The judge specifically cited an executive order Trump signed in January 2025 that instructed the Department of Homeland Security to review whether TPS designations were "appropriately limited in scope." Murphy determined that this order gave DHS a "pretextual" basis to eliminate TPS designations while bypassing normal protocols.
The executive order sent the signal that "the outcome of designation, extension, and termination decisions will be preordained, rather than based on a meaningful review of in-country conditions," according to Murphy.
Temporary Protected Status grants eligible foreigners in the US the right to remain and work in the country if their home is deemed temporarily unsafe due to conflict, natural disaster or other "extraordinary" conditions. The program provides crucial stability for diaspora communities whose members cannot safely return home.
Ethiopians were first granted TPS in 2022 under Trump's Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden, due to armed conflict and humanitarian suffering. Their protected status was extended in April 2024, covering Ethiopian nationals who were already present in the United States and met eligibility requirements.
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For the Ethiopian diaspora community, TPS has provided essential legal protection during a period of significant instability in their homeland. Community members with TPS status include individuals who fled conflict zones, students whose circumstances changed while studying in the United States, and workers whose temporary visas expired while conditions in Ethiopia remained dangerous.
The Department of Homeland Security responded to Thursday's ruling with criticism of the judicial decision. A DHS spokesperson characterized the court's intervention as "just the latest example of judicial activists trying to prevent President Trump from restoring integrity to America's legal immigration system."
The ruling represents part of a broader pattern of federal court challenges to the administration's immigration policies. Similar legal battles have emerged over TPS terminations for other countries, with advocacy organizations and affected communities mounting coordinated legal resistance.
Ethiopian community organizations in major diaspora centers including Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Seattle, and Atlanta had been preparing for potential TPS termination through legal aid clinics and know-your-rights workshops. Community leaders had expressed particular concern about the impact on families with mixed immigration status, where TPS holders support relatives who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
The legal victory provides temporary relief, but the broader policy battle continues. The administration has indicated it will continue pursuing restrictions on various immigration programs, while advocacy groups prepare for additional court challenges.
For Ethiopian TPS holders, the ruling means continued access to work authorization and protection from deportation while legal proceedings continue. Community organizations are advising eligible individuals to maintain their TPS registration and stay informed about policy developments that could affect their status.
The decision also has implications for other diaspora communities whose TPS designations face similar challenges. Legal advocates note that the judge's emphasis on proper statutory procedures could influence pending cases involving other countries' TPS programs.
As the legal and policy landscape continues to evolve, Ethiopian diaspora organizations are maintaining their advocacy efforts while preparing community members for ongoing uncertainty. The Thursday ruling provides crucial breathing room, but community leaders emphasize the need for continued vigilance and legal preparation.
