Judge Halts TPS Termination for Honduras, Nicaragua, and Nepal Citizens
A federal judge in the United States has halted the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for citizens from Honduras, Nicaragua, and Nepal. The ruling, issued by District Judge Trina Thompson in San Francisco, deemed the government’s decision unlawful. The judge criticized the lack of consideration for the dire conditions in these countries that would endanger returnees.
Impact of the Ruling
This judicial decision affects an estimated 89,000 immigrants, with the majority being Honduran nationals (72,000). The affected groups also include 12,000 Nepalis and 4,000 Nicaraguans. Many beneficiaries have resided in the United States since the 1990s and face deportation threats and family separations.
Understanding Temporary Protected Status
TPS grants temporary residency and work permits to citizens of nations experiencing humanitarian crises due to armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary events. Judge Thompson’s ruling spans 52 pages and references statements from the former administration that portrayed immigrants negatively, suggesting they were criminals or societal burdens.
- TPS beneficiaries: 89,000 total
- Hondurans: 72,000
- Nepalese: 12,000
- Nicaraguans: 4,000
Statements from Affected Individuals
Sandhya Lama, a 43-year-old single mother from Nepal, expressed her gratitude for the ruling, stating it ensures her family’s safety in the U.S. She has lived in the country since 2008. “I am thankful this ruling means I can return to work safely,” she noted.
The National TPS Alliance, representing the beneficiaries, filed a lawsuit in July against the Department of Homeland Security. They argued that the government did not conduct a thorough review before ending protections, violating congressional requirements.
The Wider Context of Immigration Policies
Jhony Silva, a 29-year-old Honduran citizen, shared how the government’s actions led to personal upheaval. “The end of TPS has devastated many of us,” he said, recounting how he lost his nursing assistant job and had to stop his studies. Silva has lived in the U.S. since he was three.
Judge Thompson also dismissed the government’s request to dismiss the case, highlighting ongoing efforts to eliminate TPS for various nationalities. More than 600,000 Venezuelans have lost residency permits, along with many Haitians, Afghans, Ethiopians, and others facing deportation.
Legal Perspectives on the Ruling
Emi MacLean, an attorney from the ACLU of Northern California, emphasized that this ruling enforces legal compliance by the Secretary of Homeland Security. “The evidence shows that she did not follow the law,” MacLean stated. TPS has provided critical humanitarian assistance for over 35 years, and such protections cannot easily be disregarded.
