A federal judge in Boston has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nearly 1,100 Somali immigrants. U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs issued an order postponing the March 17 effective date of the Department of Homeland Security's decision to terminate TPS for Somalis.
Key Takeaways
A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nearly 1,100 Somali immigrants, citing 'weighty' consequences if she did not act. The ruling allows Somalis to retain rights including work authorization and protection against deportation.
- Federal Judge Allison Burroughs issued an order postponing the March 17 effective date of DHS's decision to terminate TPS for Somalis
- Plaintiffs argued they would face 'a myriad of grave risks,' including detention, deportation, physical violence if removed to Somalia, and family separation
- The ruling comes as the administration awaits a Supreme Court decision on similar cases involving Haitians and Syrians
- Advocacy groups filed an emergency motion in federal court seeking to pause the termination after the Trump administration's announcement during an immigration crackdown in Minneapolis
In her ruling, Judge Burroughs cited the 'weighty' consequences that would result if she did not act to pause the end of TPS while a lawsuit continues. She noted that plaintiffs averred they would face 'a myriad of grave risks,' including detention and deportation, physical violence if removed to Somalia, and forced separation from family members.
The ruling comes as the administration awaits a decision from the U.S. Supreme Court on whether it will lift lower-court orders blocking the end of TPS for over 350,000 Haitians and about 6,000 Syrians. Outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had announced in January that TPS for Somalis would end on March 17, arguing that Somalia's conditions had improved despite ongoing fighting between Somali forces and al-Shabaab militants.
Four Somalis and the advocacy groups African Communities Together and Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans sued, arguing the move was procedurally flawed and driven by a discriminatory agenda. They pointed to statements made by President Trump describing Somalis as 'garbage' and 'low IQ people.' Ramla Sahid, executive director of one of the advocacy groups, said Friday's court order meant that as the legal fight continues, 'a community whose dignity and belonging have faced racist and wrongful attacks can rest a little easier for now.'
A DHS spokesperson called Burroughs' order 'just the latest example of judicial activists trying to prevent President Trump from restoring integrity to America's legal immigration system.' The administration maintains that country conditions in Somalia have improved to the point where TPS is no longer warranted.
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