Ethiopia: Judge Allows Trump Administration to End TPS Protection for Ethiopians

What the report says

A US federal judge has cleared the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status for more than 5,000 Ethiopians, according to Addis Standard, distributed by AllAfrica. The ruling removes a court barrier that had been delaying the termination of TPS, a US program that lets people from designated countries live and work legally when conditions at home are considered unsafe for return.

The report says the decision was issued by US District Judge Brian Murphy, who had previously blocked the administration’s effort. Murphy’s latest ruling follows a June US Supreme Court decision that narrowed federal court review of TPS terminations, affecting legal challenges tied to Ethiopia as well as other countries. The case also comes as the Trump administration moves to end TPS protections for nationals from multiple countries.

According to the article, Ethiopians received TPS in 2022 under former President Joe Biden amid concerns about conflict and humanitarian conditions in Ethiopia. The Department of Homeland Security later said those conditions no longer justified the protection, while rights groups argued that instability remains and that ending TPS could expose thousands to deportation. The report also notes that a US travel advisory for Ethiopia still cites unrest and other security risks.

The ruling matters because it could affect the legal status and work authorization of Ethiopians in the United States, and it leaves open possible further legal challenges, including claims of discrimination.