U.S. Appeals Court Allows Trump Administration to End Protections for 60,000 Immigrants

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A federal appeals court has ruled that the Trump administration may terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 60,000 immigrants from Nicaragua, Honduras, and Nepal. The ruling permits the revocation of deportation protections and work authorizations for these individuals, even as legal challenges to the policy continue. TPS for Nepali immigrants expired on August 5, while protections for Hondurans and Nicaraguans are set to end on September 8.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued the decision in a brief order, providing limited explanation of its legal reasoning. Department of Homeland Security officials supported the ruling, stating it would reinforce federal authority over immigration policy and prevent TPS from functioning as a de facto asylum program. The administration maintains that its actions protect the integrity of temporary designations by ensuring they are not misused as permanent residency programs.

Critics of the ruling expressed concern about the potential human impact and the lack of detailed legal justification. UCLA law professor Ahilan Arulanantham, representing one of the immigrant groups involved in the legal challenge, argued that the decision oversteps executive authority and could set a concerning precedent for future immigration policy. He emphasized that the affected individuals have established lives in the United States and rely on TPS for safety and work stability.

The appeals court decision overturns a prior ruling by U.S. District Judge Trina L. Thompson, who had blocked the administration’s attempt to end TPS. Judge Thompson had suggested that the policy could have been motivated by racial animus. The new ruling allows the government to proceed with ending TPS while litigation continues, clarifying that temporary protections remain subject to the discretion of federal authorities rather than indefinite extension.

The Trump administration’s move to terminate TPS is part of a broader strategy to tighten immigration controls. This includes increased deportations and restrictions on asylum eligibility, reflecting the administration’s focus on enforcing immigration laws and ensuring that temporary programs operate as intended under Congress’s authority. Officials assert that these measures uphold fairness by avoiding preferential treatment and safeguard national security while managing finite public resources.

Immigrant advocates warn that ending TPS could expose vulnerable populations to unsafe conditions in their home countries. Many affected individuals have lived in the United States for years, working, paying taxes, and contributing to their communities. Critics argue that removing protections could disrupt families, local economies, and the stability of communities that have integrated these immigrants.

As the legal process continues, the future of TPS for other groups remains uncertain. Legal scholars and policymakers are watching closely, noting that this ruling may influence how the administration approaches other humanitarian protections and temporary immigration programs. The outcome will likely affect hundreds of thousands of immigrants and shape the broader landscape of U.S. immigration policy.

The appeals court ruling underscores the tension between executive authority and the rights of immigrants under federal law. It highlights the complex challenges of balancing immigration enforcement with humanitarian considerations. As litigation proceeds, the administration, courts, and advocacy groups will continue to navigate the implications for affected individuals and the nation’s immigration system.