US Judge Blocks Termination of TPS for South Sudanese Nationals
On December 30, 2025, US District Judge Angel Kelley in Boston blocked the Trump administration's plan to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for South Sudanese nationals, granting emergency relief to prevent deportations after January 5. The emergency motion was filed by four South Sudanese migrants alongside the immigrant-rights group African Communities Together.
TPS for South Sudan was designated in 2011, providing work authorization and temporary protection from deportation to eligible nationals. Approximately 232 South Sudanese nationals currently hold TPS, with 73 additional applications pending, according to the lawsuit.
The termination of TPS for South Sudan was announced by then Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on November 5, citing improved conditions and peace as reasons no longer warranting the designation. The Department of Homeland Security also sought to end TPS for countries including Syria, Venezuela, Haiti, Cuba, and Nicaragua, prompting similar legal challenges.
The lawsuit contends that the DHS's termination decision violates the TPS statute and was motivated by discrimination, potentially infringing on the Fifth Amendment. South Sudan has faced ongoing conflict since gaining independence in 2011, with fighting continuing after 2018. The US State Department advises against travel to South Sudan due to security concerns.
