Ethiopia: Judge Allows Trump Administration to End TPS Protection for Ethiopians

A US federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration can end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for over 5,000 Ethiopians, paving the way for potential deportation despite concerns over security and humanitarian conditions in Ethiopia. US District Judge Brian Murphy lifted a court block that had previously prevented the administration from terminating TPS protections for Ethiopians.

TPS allows nationals of designated countries to remain legally in the US and obtain work authorization when conditions in their home countries are deemed unsafe. The ruling stems from a June 2024 US Supreme Court decision limiting federal courts' ability to review Department of Homeland Security (DHS) decisions to terminate TPS protections.

Since June 2022, the Trump administration has moved to end TPS for nationals of at least 13 countries, including Ethiopia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, South Sudan, and Somalia. About one million individuals could be affected by these revocations. Ethiopia received TPS in 2022 due to armed conflict and humanitarian concerns. Rights groups have challenged the administration's assessment, warning that ending TPS could put thousands at risk.

The US State Department maintains a Level 3 travel advisory for Ethiopia, citing unrest, crime, and terrorism. The judge rejected the administration's argument that DHS, not the attorney general, had authority to terminate TPS. He left open the possibility of an appeal on discrimination grounds. The administration defends its broader TPS termination effort, arguing it has turned a temporary program into a long-term status.