Judge Angel Kelley Blocks Trump’s Planned End of South Sudan TPS
Updated (2 articles)
Federal Judge Angel Kelley Issues Injunction Halting TPS Termination The U.S. District Court in Massachusetts granted a temporary injunction on December 30, 2025, stopping the Department of Homeland Security from deporting South Sudanese TPS holders while the lawsuit proceeds[1][2]. The order pauses the scheduled termination set for January 6, 2026, which would have affected roughly 300 individuals living and working in the United States[2]. By freezing removals, the court aims to prevent “irreparable harm” to people who have built lives in the country[1].
Lawsuit Claims TPS Revocation Violates Administrative Law and Racial Equality Civil‑rights and immigrant‑advocacy groups filed the suit in late December, arguing that the DHS decision breaches federal administrative procedures and discriminates against non‑white, non‑European immigrants[1][2]. Plaintiffs contend the move is a racially biased effort to reduce the presence of certain immigrant groups, seeking a full merits review before any deportations can occur[1]. The case is part of a broader challenge to the administration’s systematic rollback of TPS designations created or expanded under President Biden[1].
DHS Defends TPS End as Policy Decision, Calls Ruling Unlawful The Department of Homeland Security responded by labeling the injunction “lawless,” accusing the judiciary of overstepping constitutional authority[2]. An assistant secretary framed the TPS changes as a legitimate policy choice that should not be blocked by courts[2]. DHS also argued that conditions in South Sudan have improved, suggesting the program was misused under the previous administration[1].
Context: Ongoing Deportations and UN Warning Highlight Humanitarian Stakes Earlier in 2025, eight South Sudanese men were deported to their home country, illustrating the continued enforcement pressure despite TPS protections[2]. A panel of United Nations experts warned that South Sudan remains plagued by armed conflict and humanitarian crises, underscoring the risks of forced returns[2]. The injunction therefore maintains temporary safety for the community while broader policy debates unfold[1].
Sources
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1.
Newsweek: Judge blocks Trump plan to end TPS for South Sudanese immigrants: Details the Massachusetts injunction, civil‑rights lawsuit alleging racial bias, and places the case within the administration’s wider effort to dismantle TPS protections for multiple nationalities.
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2.
AP: Judge temporarily halts Trump’s move to end protected status for South Sudanese immigrants: Highlights the same injunction, specifies the 300‑person impact, records DHS’s condemnation, cites UN experts on South Sudan’s instability, and notes eight deportations earlier in the year.
Timeline
2021 – The Biden administration expands Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to include South Sudan, allowing nationals from the war‑torn country to live and work legally in the U.S. under a humanitarian designation. [1]
2024 – The same administration begins rolling back TPS protections, terminating the program for Venezuelan and Haitian nationals, signaling a broader policy shift toward ending TPS designations. [1]
Early 2025 – At least eight South Sudanese men are deported from the United States back to South Sudan, illustrating the ongoing enforcement pressure on the community even before the formal termination date. [2]
Late December 2025 – Civil‑rights and immigrant‑advocacy groups file a lawsuit in federal court alleging that the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) decision to end South Sudan TPS violates administrative law and is racially discriminatory. [1][2]
Dec 30, 2025 – U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley issues a temporary injunction halting any deportations of South Sudanese TPS holders while the lawsuit proceeds, keeping roughly 300 individuals protected for now. [1][2]
Dec 30, 2025 – Judge Kelley warns that “ending protections could cause irreversible harm to people who have built lives in the U.S.” and stresses the need for a full merits review before any removals can occur. [1]
Dec 30, 2025 – DHS condemns the court order as “lawless,” asserting that the judiciary is overstepping its constitutional authority and that TPS policy decisions belong solely to the executive branch. [2]
Dec 30, 2025 – A panel of United Nations experts contextualizes the decision, noting South Sudan’s “years of neglect and a patchwork of armed groups” that make safe return impossible for many refugees. [2]
Jan 6, 2026 – The scheduled termination date for South Sudan TPS would take effect, potentially exposing the protected population to deportation unless the injunction is lifted or the case is resolved in their favor. [2]
2026 onward – The injunction remains in place while the court reviews the merits of the case, leaving the future of South Sudan TPS uncertain pending judicial outcome. [1]