A federal judge in San Francisco has delivered a critical ruling against the Trump administration's attempt to strip deportation protections from tens of thousands of immigrants. In a sharply worded opinion, U.S. District Judge Trina L. Thompson ordered that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) remain in place for approximately 60,000 individuals from Honduras, Nicaragua, and Nepal, while litigation challenging the termination continues.
What Is TPS?
TPS is a humanitarian program that permits nationals of certain countries affected by conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions to legally remain in the United States. It allows recipients to live and work without fear of removal, even if they entered without lawful status. The Secretary of Homeland Security holds discretionary authority to designate or terminate TPS for a given country.
Why the Trump Administration's Actions Were Blocked
The Trump administration, through Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, had moved to terminate TPS for Hondurans, Nicaraguans, and Nepalese immigrants, asserting that conditions in their home countries had sufficiently improved. But Judge Thompson found that this conclusion lacked an “objective review of the country conditions” and appeared motivated by discriminatory intent.
She specifically cited continuing political violence in Honduras, devastation from recent hurricanes in Nicaragua, and instability in Nepal. The court noted that ending TPS would result in devastating consequences: job loss, loss of health insurance, family separation, and forced deportation to countries where many have not lived in decades.
In her ruling, Judge Thompson wrote:
“The freedom to live fearlessly, the opportunity of liberty, and the American dream. That is all Plaintiffs seek. Instead, they are told to atone for their race, leave because of their names, and purify their blood.”
She also found compelling evidence that the decisions were politically and racially motivated—rooted in President Trump's campaign rhetoric and perpetuated by Secretary Noem. The court emphasized that TPS termination would cost the U.S. economy $1.4 billion and noted the abrupt, two-month deadline given to affected individuals was “awful” and lacked due process.
Broader Implications
This ruling is part of a broader judicial check on the administration's aggressive immigration agenda, which has already terminated TPS for hundreds of thousands of immigrants from Venezuela, Haiti, Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Cameroon. Many of these terminations are now tied up in federal court challenges.
In addition to the legal battles, the human toll is immense. Many TPS holders have lived in the U.S. for over two decades, raised families, paid taxes, and contributed to their communities. Deporting them now would not only uproot lives but also violate basic principles of fairness and due process.
Next Steps
The case is ongoing, with the next hearing set for November 18, 2025. For now, TPS recipients from Honduras, Nicaragua, and Nepal can continue to live and work in the U.S. without fear of deportation. This ruling reaffirms that immigration decisions cannot be based on racial animus or political convenience—they must be grounded in law, evidence, and humanity.
At Saluja Law, we continue to stand with TPS recipients and all immigrants whose rights are under threat. If you or your loved ones have questions about your immigration status or need legal assistance, please call us at (304) 755-1101 or visit us at www.salujalaw.com.
Your future in America is worth protecting—and we're here to help.