Archive · 23 Dec 2025
Lawsuit Challenges Ending of South Sudanese Migrant Protections
Some people from South Sudan have been living in the U.S. under a special program called TPS, which protects them from being sent back to their home country because it's not safe.
The U.S. government decided to end this protection, but some South Sudanese people and a group that helps immigrants don't agree with this decision.
They think it's unfair and could put people in danger.
So, they filed a lawsuit to try to keep the protection in place.
The lawsuit says the government didn't follow the rules and that the decision might be because of discrimination.
The U.S. started giving this protection to South Sudanese people in 2011 because of a war that killed many people.
Now, there are about 232 people with this protection, and 73 more are waiting to get it.
Four South Sudanese migrants and African Communities Together filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's decision to end TPS for South Sudanese nationals.
The lawsuit alleges that the termination of TPS violates the statute governing the program and ignores the dire humanitarian conditions in South Sudan.
The plaintiffs claim the decision was motivated by discrimination against non-white migrants, violating the Fifth Amendment.
About 232 South Sudanese nationals currently have TPS, with 73 pending applications, and the U.S. began designating South Sudan for TPS in 2011.
The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit.
- Who
- Four South Sudanese migrants, African Communities Together, and immigrant rights advocates
- What
- Filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's decision to end TPS for South Sudanese nationals
- When
- December 23, 2019
- Where
- Boston federal court
- Why
- Alleged unlawful termination of TPS, violation of the TPS statute, and discrimination against non-white migrants
- TPS
- Temporary Protected Status for migrants from countries with natural disasters, armed conflicts, or extraordinary events.
- South Sudanese Beneficiaries
- 232 South Sudanese nationals currently have TPS, with 73 pending applications.
- Lawsuit Filing Date
- December 23, 2019
- Lawsuit Location
- Boston federal court
- South Sudan TPS Termination Date
- January 5, 2020
- South Sudan TPS Designation Start
- 2011
- South Sudan Civil War
- 2013-2018, resulting in 400,000 deaths
- Other Affected Countries
- Syria, Venezuela, Haiti, Cuba, Nicaragua
