A U.S. federal judge has allowed the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for over 5,000 Ethiopians, clearing the way for potential deportations despite ongoing humanitarian concerns in Ethiopia. The ruling by Judge Brian Murphy in Boston removes the last legal barrier to the termination, which the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) argued was justified by improved conditions in the East African nation.
The decision, issued on August 18, 2026, follows a landmark Supreme Court ruling that expanded the administration’s authority to terminate TPS designations. The Trump administration had sought to end protections for nationals of 13 countries, including Ethiopia, Venezuela, and Somalia, arguing that repeated extensions of the program had transformed it from a temporary measure into a de facto pathway to permanent residency. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin emphasized the policy’s “temporary” nature, warning affected individuals to leave immediately or be swiftly deported.
Judge Clears Path for Deportation Protections Termination
U.S. District Reuters lifted a judicial stay that had blocked the termination of TPS for Ethiopians since April 2026. The ruling aligns with recent decisions allowing similar terminations for migrants from South Sudan, Myanmar, and Somalia. Murphy rejected arguments that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) lacked authority to end TPS, noting that the 1990 law granting the program gave the attorney general—not DHS—the power to terminate it. However, the judge left room for further litigation, allowing plaintiffs to challenge whether the decision was motivated by racial or national-origin discrimination.
The termination of Ethiopia’s TPS designation had been contested by Ethiopian nationals and advocacy groups like African Communities Together. The group criticized the ruling, stating that the crisis in Ethiopia is still ongoing
and that the decision puts the lives of thousands of Ethiopians living in the U.S. at severe risk.
The Trump administration had cited improved conditions in Ethiopia, claiming that the country no longer posed a “serious threat” to returning nationals.
Advocacy Groups Warn of Humanitarian Risks
The legal battle over TPS termination has been shaped by conflicting interpretations of the 1990 law. While judges in cases involving South Sudan, Myanmar, and Somalia have ruled in favor of DHS, Murphy’s decision leaves open the possibility of appeals based on allegations of discriminatory intent. The administration has defended its actions as a necessary step to appropriately limit
the scope of TPS, which it claims has been abused by repeated extensions.
What Comes Next for Affected Ethiopians?
For the approximately 5,000 Ethiopians currently under TPS, the ruling means they now face the prospect of deportation unless they can secure alternative immigration status. DHS General Counsel James Percival stated that all TPS terminations are now “in effect,” with affected individuals given no clear timeline for compliance. Advocacy groups have urged the administration to reconsider, emphasizing that many Ethiopians lack the resources or legal pathways to leave the U.S. voluntarily.
The case also raises broader questions about the future of TPS under the Trump administration. With the Supreme Court’s June 2026 ruling limiting judicial oversight of DHS decisions, similar terminations for migrants from Venezuela, Nicaragua, and other countries are likely to proceed. However, the ongoing legal challenges—particularly those alleging racial bias—could create new hurdles for the administration’s immigration agenda.
For now, the immediate focus remains on the 5,000 Ethiopians whose protections have been terminated. The next chapter will depend on whether courts accept the administration’s rationale or whether the plaintiffs’ claims of discriminatory intent gain traction in the ongoing litigation.
