Archive · 31 Dec 2025
Judge Halts End of Deportation Protections for South Sudanese Migrants
A judge in the United States stopped a plan to end special protections that allowed people from South Sudan to live and work in the U.S. safely.
These protections, called Temporary Protected Status (TPS), were given because South Sudan has been facing a lot of problems like wars and disasters.
The judge said the plan to end these protections was not fair and could send people back to a dangerous place.
About 232 people from South Sudan have been living in the U.S. under this protection, and another 73 are waiting for it.
The government said South Sudan is now safer, but the judge decided to keep the protections for now.
U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley blocked the termination of TPS for South Sudanese nationals.
The lawsuit argued that ending TPS was unlawful and exposed migrants to deportation to a country with humanitarian crises.
About 232 South Sudanese nationals have been beneficiaries of TPS, with 73 pending applications.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem terminated TPS for South Sudan, citing improved conditions.
The lawsuit alleges that the termination violates the TPS program statute and the U.S. Constitution's Fifth Amendment.
- Who
- U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley, four South Sudanese migrants, African Communities Together, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem
- What
- A federal judge blocked the termination of temporary protected status (TPS) for South Sudanese nationals
- When
- December 30, with TPS termination planned for January 5
- Where
- United States, with South Sudan as the home country
- Why
- The lawsuit alleged that ending TPS was unlawful and exposed migrants to deportation to a country facing humanitarian crises
- Judge
- Angel Kelley
- Plaintiffs
- Four South Sudanese migrants and African Communities Together
- TPS Beneficiaries
- 232 South Sudanese nationals
- Pending TPS Applications
- 73
- TPS Termination Date
- January 5
- Homeland Security Secretary
- Kristi Noem
- TPS Termination Notice Date
- November 5
- South Sudan Independence Year
- 2011