Archive · 30 Jan 2026
Court Rules Noem's Ending of TPS Illegal
A court said that a government official named Kristi Noem did something illegal when she stopped a program that let people from Venezuela and Haiti live and work in the U.S. safely.
This program, called Temporary Protected Status (TPS), was meant to help people from countries with big problems like natural disasters or wars.
The court said Noem didn't have the right to end the program, but the Supreme Court has allowed her decision to go into effect for now.
The court also said that ending the program has hurt many people who rely on it to live and work in the U.S. without fear of being sent back to their home countries.
The decision is good news for TPS holders, but it doesn't automatically restart their protections right away.
The government can still ask for another review or take the case to the Supreme Court.
A federal appeals court ruled that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem acted illegally when she ended TPS for Venezuelans and Haitians.
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court's decision, stating Noem exceeded her authority.
The Supreme Court allowed Noem's decision to take effect pending a final decision.
The court found that Noem's actions had significant consequences for TPS holders, many of whom have been deported or detained.
Attorneys for the government argued that the secretary has broad authority to make TPS determinations, but the court disagreed.
- Who
- Kristi Noem, Homeland Security Secretary
- What
- Ending of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans and Haitians
- When
- Decision made by Noem, appealed and ruled on by the 9th Circuit Court
- Where
- United States
- Why
- Noem claimed conditions in Haiti and Venezuela had improved, but the court ruled she exceeded her authority
- Court
- 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals
- Decision Date
- Wednesday
- TPS Program
- Temporary Protected Status
- Affected Countries
- Venezuela, Haiti
- Supreme Court Action
- Allowed Noem's decision to take effect pending final decision
- Judge's Statement
- Noem's actions had real and significant consequences
- TPS Legislation
- Immigration Act of 1990
- Haiti TPS End Date
- February 3
