Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administrations Attempt to Revoke Ethiopian Refugee Status

Federal Judge Blocks Administration’s Efforts to Revoke Immigrant Protections

A federal judge has issued a ruling blocking the administration of President Donald Trump from revoking legal protections for approximately 5,000 Ethiopians living and working in the United States without fear of deportation. District Judge Brian Murphy made this decision on Thursday.

The ruling marks a setback for the administration’s efforts to roll back immigration status for individuals from largely non-Western countries. In his ruling, Judge Murphy stated that the Trump administration had ignored established procedures for granting and revoking Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

According to the judge, Congress plays a crucial role in setting standards for TPS designations and revocations. The Trump administration’s attempt to eliminate TPS designations for 13 countries was deemed unconstitutional by the court.

The ruling also cited an executive order signed by President Trump in January 2025, which instructed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to review the scope of TPS designations. Judge Murphy argued that this order provided a pretextual basis for eliminating TPS designations, bypassing established protocols.

In his decision, Judge Murphy emphasized the importance of following established procedures and stated that presidential whims should not supersede congressional authority. The ruling is seen as a significant victory for those seeking to maintain their immigration status in the United States.

Source: Al Jazeera