A federal appeals court recently ruled in favor of the Trump administration, pausing a lower court’s decision to maintain protections for 60,000 migrants from Central America and Nepal. This means the government can start removing about 7,000 Nepalese individuals whose temporary protected status (TPS) expired on August 5.
The TPS designations for 51,000 Hondurans and 3,000 Nicaraguans will expire on September 8, making them eligible for removal as well. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco granted an emergency stay, leading immigrant rights advocates to argue that the administration’s actions are illegal.
Temporary protected status is granted by the Secretary of Homeland Security. It prevents deportation and allows recipients to work if their home countries are unsafe due to disasters or political issues. The current administration has focused on reducing these protections, which critics say endangers many who have lived in the U.S. for years.
Experts note that TPS holders from Nepal have lived in the U.S. for over a decade, while many from Honduras and Nicaragua relocated after Hurricane Mitch devastated their countries in 1998. Jessica Bansal from the National Day Laborer Organization expressed deep concerns, stating that the Trump administration is effectively stripping long-term residents of their status and potentially uprooting families.
The Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, ended the programs, claiming the conditions no longer justified these protections. However, U.S. District Judge Trina L. Thompson highlighted that the decision was made without a proper review of the actual conditions in these countries, which are still grappling with political violence and the aftermath of natural disasters.
During a hearing, U.S. officials argued that the government’s smooth operations were being disrupted by issues surrounding TPS and that changes were necessary. In May, the Supreme Court enabled the administration to end TPS for Venezuelans, setting a concerning precedent for other TPS recipients.
Public reaction has focused on the crucial role these immigrants play in their communities, often raising U.S.-born children and contributing to the economy. The ongoing debate also touches upon broader themes like immigration policy and the treatment of marginalized communities in the U.S.
As the case advances, the next hearing is scheduled for November 18, and many advocates are hoping for a more favorable outcome. The situation raises critical questions about the future of TPS and the lives of those who depend on this protection. You can find more insights on the implications of these changes in detailed reports by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Migration Policy Institute.