Ethiopian TPS Holders in U. S. Face Deportation Amidst Ongoing Crisis BODY: Pretoria, South Africa – August 19, 2026 – A federal judge in the United States has granted the Trump administration the authority to cancel Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for roughly 5,000 Ethiopians residing in the U.
S. This decision comes after the Supreme Court’s recent termination of similar protections for thousands of Haitians and Syrians.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that those whose TPS is terminated are deemed ‘illegally present’in the country and face two options: leave immediately or be deported.
The ruling by US District Judge Brian Murphy overturned a temporary stay that had halted the administration’s plans to end TPS for Ethiopians. TPS, a humanitarian program, is intended for individuals from countries addressing extraordinary and temporary circumstances, such as armed conflict or natural disasters. It typically provides temporary authorization to live and work in the United States, subject to renewal by the Secretary of Homeland Security.
While the DHS and the Trump administration have hailed the decision as legally sound, advocacy groups and Ethiopian nationals are expressing deep disappointment and concern. They argue that the ongoing crisis in Ethiopia, particularly the Tigray war and the current tensions, puts the lives of those affected at severe risk. “This decision puts the lives of thousands of Ethiopians living in the U.
S. At severe risk, “stated Diana Konaté, the deputy executive director of policy and advocacy for the advocacy group African Communities Together. “.
The crisis in Ethiopia is still ongoing, and this decision creates fresh dangers for those who have been living here safely. “Ethiopia was first designated for TPS by then-President Joe Biden’s administration in late 2022, following the armed conflict in the country, including the Tigray war.
The termination of TPS marks the final country where the Trump administration has ended such protections, affecting individuals who had fled extraordinary events in their home country.
The ruling has sparked a heated debate over the rights of immigrants and the humanitarian implications of TPS. Critics argue that the termination violates international law and human rights, while supporters contend that it is essential for enforcing immigration laws and protecting national security.
As the situation unfolds, the expiration of TPS status for these Ethiopians casts uncertainty over their futures, with the possibility of returning to a country in crisis or facing deportation in the United States.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: BBC Africa
Source: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews
