Massachusetts Judge Blocks TPS Termination for Ethiopians: What It Means for All TPS Holders

What Happened

On April 8, 2026, U.S. District Judge Brian E. Murphy in Massachusetts issued a ruling that blocked the Trump administration from terminating Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ethiopian nationals living in the United States. The decision preserves legal status and work authorization for more than 5,000 Ethiopians who had been facing the loss of their protections.

In a 45-page decision, Judge Murphy found that the Department of Homeland Security terminated Ethiopia's TPS designation "without regard for the process delineated by Congress." The ruling makes clear that federal agencies must follow the procedures that Congress established for ending TPS, regardless of whether the White House wants a different outcome.

Why the Judge Blocked the Termination

Judge Murphy identified two major legal violations in the government's decision to end TPS for Ethiopians.

First, he found that DHS violated the TPS statute itself. The law requires the agency to conduct inter-agency consultations and review current country conditions before terminating a TPS designation. The court concluded that DHS failed to carry out these required steps.

Second, the judge ruled that DHS violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). He found that the agency's decision was pretextual, meaning the stated reasons for terminating TPS did not reflect the actual basis for the decision. The court pointed to a broader pattern: the administration has sought to terminate TPS for all 13 countries that had active designations, suggesting the decisions were driven by policy goals rather than individualized assessments of each country's conditions.

DHS had argued that conditions in Ethiopia had "improved to the point that it no longer meets the law's requirement." The court disagreed, finding that the agency's own evidence did not support that conclusion and that officials had ignored humanitarian evidence and the economic disruption that a sudden mass departure would cause.

Background: Ethiopia's TPS Designation

Ethiopia was designated for TPS in 2022 under the Biden administration due to armed conflict and humanitarian emergencies affecting the country. The designation was extended in 2024. In December 2025, DHS announced it would terminate Ethiopia's TPS, setting a February 13, 2026 end date.

TPS holders from Ethiopia filed suit, and Judge Murphy's April 8 ruling now keeps the designation in effect while the case continues in court. Ethiopian TPS holders retain their legal status and employment authorization during this period.

What This Means for TPS Holders from Other Countries

This ruling matters well beyond the Ethiopian community. The legal reasoning Judge Murphy applied speaks directly to TPS termination efforts for other countries, including Haiti and Syria, where cases are headed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Haiti and Syria TPS Cases at the Supreme Court

On April 29, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in consolidated cases challenging the termination of TPS for Haitian and Syrian nationals. Approximately 352,000 Haitian nationals and tens of thousands of Syrian nationals currently hold TPS.

Lower courts have already blocked the TPS terminations for both Haiti and Syria. A federal judge stayed Haiti's TPS termination on February 2, 2026, one day before it was set to take effect. The Supreme Court agreed to hear both cases on an expedited basis, and a decision is expected by late June or early July 2026.

Until the Supreme Court rules, TPS for Haiti remains valid. USCIS issued guidance on March 25, 2026 confirming that TPS holders' employment authorization documents (EADs) remain valid and setting an updated I-9 date of July 1, 2026 for employer verification purposes.

The Broader Pattern

Judge Murphy's finding that the termination decisions appear pretextual is significant. The administration has moved to end TPS for all 13 countries with active designations. Courts around the country have blocked several of these terminations, including for Somalia (blocked by a Massachusetts judge in March 2026) and now Ethiopia.

Each court decision that identifies procedural failures and pretextual reasoning strengthens the legal arguments for TPS holders from all designated countries. If the Supreme Court finds similar problems in the Haiti and Syria cases, it could set a binding precedent that applies nationwide.

What TPS Holders in Massachusetts Should Do Now

If you hold TPS from any country, here is what you should keep in mind right now:

• Your TPS remains valid. Court orders are currently blocking TPS terminations for multiple countries. Continue using your employment authorization and maintaining your status as you normally would.
• Keep your documents current. Make sure you have copies of your TPS approval notices, EAD cards, and any court orders or USCIS guidance confirming your continued status. Store these in a safe place.
• Watch for re-registration deadlines. Even while court cases are pending, USCIS may announce re-registration periods. Missing a re-registration deadline can jeopardize your TPS status.
• Consult an immigration attorney. Every TPS situation is different. An attorney can help you understand how these court decisions apply to your specific case and whether you have options beyond TPS that could provide more permanent protection.
• Do not travel internationally without legal advice. Traveling outside the United States while holding TPS can create complications, especially during periods of legal uncertainty. Always consult an attorney before any international travel.

Looking Ahead: What to Watch

The next major date is April 29, 2026, when the Supreme Court hears the Haiti and Syria TPS cases. The Court's decision, expected by late June or early July, will likely shape the future of TPS for all designated countries.

In the meantime, a discharge petition in the U.S. House of Representatives has gathered 218 signatures to force a floor vote on legislation that would extend Haiti's TPS designation. That vote is expected the week of April 14, 2026, after Congress returns from recess. If the legislation passes both chambers, it could provide a legislative solution independent of the court cases.

I will continue to monitor these developments and publish updates as they happen. If you are a TPS holder or know someone who is, staying informed is one of the most important things you can do right now.

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