A federal court has temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for South Sudanese nationals residing in the United States. U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley issued a preliminary injunction on Tuesday, preventing the Department of Homeland Security from initiating deportations while the legality of the termination is under judicial review.
The controversial decision to end TPS for South Sudan was originally scheduled to take effect in January 2026, potentially exposing approximately 300 South Sudanese immigrants to deportation proceedings. Civil rights organizations challenged the termination in a December lawsuit, alleging constitutional violations and administrative procedural failures by DHS.
Judge Kelley’s ruling emphasized the “significant and far-reaching consequences” of the policy change, noting that premature implementation could cause “irreversible harm” to affected migrants. The court found sufficient merit in the plaintiffs’ claims to warrant comprehensive judicial review before any termination could proceed.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin condemned the judicial intervention, characterizing it as “lawless and activist” while defending the administration’s position that South Sudan had achieved “renewed peace” and improved diplomatic relations. These assertions directly contradict United Nations assessments describing continued fragmentation of government forces and widespread humanitarian challenges.
South Sudan first received TPS designation in 2011 following devastating conflict that displaced millions. The program provides legal residency and work authorization to foreign nationals from countries experiencing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or extraordinary temporary conditions.
The Trump administration’s efforts to terminate protected status extends beyond South Sudan, encompassing immigrants from Venezuela, Haiti, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Afghanistan, and several other nations. Critics argue these actions represent a systematic attempt to reduce non-white immigration, pointing to the administration’s simultaneous willingness to accept white South African refugees.
Legal experts suggest the case may have implications for thousands of immigrants whose protected status remains under administrative review, potentially setting precedents for judicial oversight of executive immigration decisions.
