A U.S. federal judge has issued a ruling that halts the Trump administration’s efforts to end temporary protection status for over one million Haitian and Venezuelan immigrants, defying a Supreme Court decision. San Francisco District Judge Edward Chen, appointed by former President Barack Obama, ruled against Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem’s plan to revoke protections for 521,000 Haitians and 600,000 Venezuelans under the Temporary Protection Status (TPS) program.
The TPS program, established in 1991, grants temporary legal status to migrants from countries facing natural disasters, conflict, or other crises. Under President Biden, protections were extended to Venezuelans and Haitians, but Noem reversed the decision in February, citing unwarranted risks. Judge Chen’s ruling argues that the revocation was “unprecedented” and violated federal law, stating it would force migrants back to dangerous conditions despite U.S. State Department warnings against travel to their home countries.
The Supreme Court had previously allowed the Trump administration to terminate TPS protections for Venezuelans in May, but Judge Chen asserts his decision does not conflict with that ruling. The Justice Department has indicated plans to appeal, while DHS criticized the order as a disruption to “prioritizing American safety.” The case is expected to return to higher courts, where its outcome remains uncertain.
