In a landmark decision, the U.S. District Court has halted the Trump administration's move to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for tens of thousands of immigrants from Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua. The ruling effectively blocks the planned deportations, ensuring continued protection for over 60,000 individuals from the three nations who have legally lived and worked in the United States for years under the TPS program.
The decision comes after months of legal battles following the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) announcement to terminate TPS protections, citing improved conditions in the affected countries. Immigrant rights groups quickly challenged the move, arguing it was politically motivated, lacked proper legal basis, and ignored ongoing instability in the countries involved.
Judge Trina L. Thompson, presiding over the case in a San Francisco federal court, ruled that the Trump administration’s actions violated the Administrative Procedure Act and failed to properly justify its decision. The judge also pointed to the use of discriminatory language and insufficient review of current conditions in Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua.
“This ruling sends a strong message that due process and fairness must guide our immigration system,” the judge noted in her written opinion. “The government cannot simply dismantle humanitarian protections without considering the human cost.”
TPS is a humanitarian program that allows foreign nationals from countries experiencing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary conditions to live and work in the U.S. without fear of deportation. Many Hondurans and Nicaraguans have held TPS since the late 1990s following Hurricane Mitch, while Nepalese nationals received protection after the devastating 2015 earthquake.
The Trump administration announced its intention to end TPS for these groups starting in mid-2025, triggering widespread concern among immigrant families and advocacy groups. Many TPS holders have lived in the U.S. for decades, built families, and contributed significantly to the economy.
Immigrant advocates and civil rights organizations celebrated the court’s decision as a victory for justice and human rights.
“This is a huge relief for thousands of families who were on the verge of being uprooted,” said Maribel Hernandez, spokesperson for the National TPS Alliance. “TPS holders are our neighbors, caregivers, educators, and frontline workers. They deserve dignity, not deportation.”
Legal experts also hailed the ruling as a check on executive overreach and a reaffirmation that immigration policies must follow established laws and procedures.
Meanwhile, the Trump campaign has criticized the court’s decision, calling it “a dangerous overstep” and vowing to appeal. “We will continue to pursue every legal avenue to enforce our nation’s immigration laws,” a statement from the campaign read.
With the court’s injunction in place, TPS protections for Hondurans, Nepalese, and Nicaraguans will remain in effect pending further hearings. The federal government is expected to appeal the decision, potentially sending the case to a higher court.
For now, TPS holders from these nations can continue to live and work in the U.S. legally, without fear of imminent deportation.
This ruling marks a significant pause in the Trump administration’s immigration rollback and underscores the critical role of the judiciary in protecting the rights of vulnerable populations. As the case moves forward, tens of thousands of families remain hopeful for a permanent solution that recognizes their decades-long contributions to American society.