A federal judge has delayed the Trump administration’s plans to end temporary protected status for immigrants from Nicaragua, Honduras, and Nepal, citing concerns of racial bias. Judge Trina Thompson, appointed by President Biden, argued that the decision to cancel the humanitarian protections appeared to be racially motivated.
The ruling provides a reprieve for over 60,000 immigrants who have been legally residing and working in the U.S. under the TPS program. The Department of Homeland Security likened the judge’s ruling to a New York Times opinion piece and plans to appeal the decision.
The Trump administration was set to terminate TPS for Honduran and Nicaraguan migrants as part of increased deportation efforts. The decision to end TPS for these nations follows similar actions taken for Haiti and Venezuela. The ruling by Judge Thompson highlighted statements made by officials that perpetuate discriminatory beliefs about immigrant populations.
The Department of Homeland Security pointed out that some individuals with criminal convictions had exploited the TPS program. The Supreme Court previously sided with the Trump administration in lifting an injunction blocking the termination of TPS for Venezuelans.
TPS, created by Congress in 1990, allows individuals from countries facing crises to seek refuge in the U.S. The program can be renewed in 18-month increments.
