A federal judge has issued a ruling that halts the Trump administration’s efforts to terminate temporary protected status for over one million migrants, defying a Supreme Court decision. San Francisco U.S. District Judge Edward Chen, appointed by Barack Obama, blocked the Department of Homeland Security from ending protections for approximately 1.1 million Haitian and Venezuelan immigrants.
Under the Biden administration, Temporary Protection Status (TPS) was extended to cover 600,000 Venezuelans and 521,000 Haitians, granting them work authorization and deportation relief. However, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem reversed these extensions in February, arguing they were no longer justified. Judge Chen’s decision, detailed in a 69-page ruling, criticized the abrupt nature of Noem’s actions, stating they violated legal standards.
The Supreme Court had previously allowed the Trump administration to terminate TPS for Venezuelans, but Chen maintained that his ruling addressed broader legal issues beyond the initial injunction. The Justice Department has indicated it will appeal, calling the decision “chaos” and vowing to prioritize American safety.
The case is expected to return to the Supreme Court, where its outcome remains uncertain. Critics have condemned the judge’s defiance, framing it as another example of judicial overreach.