A federal judge has just ordered the extension of an administrative stay on the Trump administration's attempt to terminate Temporary Protected Status for Ethiopia, stymying the White House's push for the speedy deportation of Ethiopian refugees. This represents the latest blow to President Donald Trump's anti-immigrant agenda.
The news was shared by Politico Senior Legal Affairs reporter Josh Gerstein on Friday afternoon, when he posted the ruling by Judge Brian Murphy, who serves on the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts and was appointed by President Joe Biden.
"Plaintiffs have moved for an administrative stay pending resolution of their motion to amend their complaint and renewed motion for postponement. As previously noted by another Court in this District, a court “may issue an administrative stay ‘in an exercise of its docket-management authority.’ Administrative stays are not a reflection of the merits, but instead allow the court time to consider the merits of a case that cannot be successfully or appropriately evaluated in haste.” After review, and in light of the novel arguments raised in Plaintiffs’ amended complaint, the Court GRANTS Plaintiffs’ motion for an administrative stay as follows. To preserve the status quo, the effective date of termination of the designation of Temporary Protected Status for Ethiopia (the “Termination”) will be STAYED, subject to further order of this Court or higher courts, pending resolution of Plaintiffs’ renewed motion for postponement. During the period of the stay of the Termination, the Termination shall be null, void, and of no legal effect."
Temporary Protected Status is a program that extends temporary immigration benefits to those from certain countries who cannot safely return due to war, natural disaster, or other concerns. The Trump administration has been attempting to end TPS for Ethiopian refugees since December, but a suit filed in January has suspended that termination while its legality is wrangled in the courts. Friday's decision is a major win for the plaintiffs, allowing them to remain and work in the United States while the case is determined.
