Judge Approves Trump’s Move to End TPS for South Sudanese Nationals

POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — A federal judge has approved the Trump administration’s effort to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for hundreds of South Sudanese nationals residing in the United States. US District Judge Patti Saris of the District of Massachusetts ruled on Friday that the administration can proceed with removing the protections.

The decision follows a Supreme Court ruling that permitted the US government to strip TPS for Haitians — and Syrians. Judge Saris rejected an attempt by immigrant rights organizations, including the New York-based African Communities Together, to maintain TPS for South Sudanese nationals living in the US.

Temporary Protected Status is a program that allows nationals of certain countries to remain in the US temporarily due to armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary conditions in their home countries. The Trump administration has sought to end TPS for several groups, arguing that conditions in their home countries have improved enough for them to return.

The ruling is expected to impact hundreds of South Sudanese individuals who have been living under TPS, potentially forcing them to leave the US or seek other forms of legal status. The decision is in line with the administration’s broader immigration policy aimed at reducing the number of non-citizens residing in the country under temporary protections.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)