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Obama-Appointed Judge Lets Trump Strip TPS From Somalis—‘Life Altering
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. The Trump administration received a new legal victory in its effort to end Temporary Protected Status ( TPS ) for Somali immigrants after a federal judge allowed the termination of the program to move forward. U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs, a nominee of former President Barack Obama, previously paused the administration’s effort to end TPS for Somalia , which covers roughly 1,100 people.
The latest decision comes after the U.S. Supreme Court narrowed the ability of federal courts to review challenges to TPS terminations, changing the legal landscape surrounding the case.
TPS provides temporary protection from deportation and work authorization to eligible nationals of countries facing armed conflict, natural disasters or other extraordinary and temporary conditions. The Trump administration announced in January that it would terminate Somalia’s TPS designation, arguing that conditions in the country had improved enough for the designation to no longer be warranted. The termination was initially set to take effect in March, but Burroughs temporarily blocked it while the legal challenge proceeded, Reuters reported.
Newsweek reached out to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) via email on Friday for comment.
In her latest order, Burroughs emphasized the seriousness of the case and pushed back against criticism of the court, saying judges must resolve complicated disputes according to the law regardless of whether they agree with the underlying policy.
She also acknowledged the “life altering consequences” of the decision for Somali TPS beneficiaries. Her comments underscore the tension surrounding the case — while the administration argues that TPS is temporary by definition and that conditions in Somalia have improved, advocates have warned that returning some beneficiaries could expose them to family separation and potentially unsafe conditions
The Somalia case is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to roll back TPS protections for migrants from multiple countries. The administration has moved to terminate protections for nationals of countries including Haiti, Syria, Ethiopia and others. The court’s June ruling on TPS significantly strengthened the administration’s position by finding that federal courts generally cannot review the secretary of Homeland Security’s decision to terminate a country’s TPS designation, although constitutional claims can still be litigated.
The decision could therefore have consequences beyond the Somali community, as it demonstrates how the administration’s broader TPS rollback is being shaped by both executive action and a series of court battles.
For Somali TPS holders, the ruling removes a major legal barrier to the termination of their status and potentially leaves roughly 1,100 people facing the loss of protection from deportation and work authorization.
Reacting to the ruling, Representative Andy Ogles took to X on Friday and wrote: "HUGE NEWS: After I filed articles of impeachment against radical Obama-appointed Judge Allison Burroughs, she has DROPPED her blocking of President Trump’s deportation of Somali aliens under TPS. This is WHY maximum pressure works. Judges who violate the law deserve impeachment. America First!"
This is a developing story that will be updated with additional information.
Contact Newsweek editors for this story: Jason Lemon and Anthony Murray .
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