A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from revoking legal protections for about 5,000 Ethiopians living in the United States, according to Al Jazeera. The ruling was issued by District Judge Brian Murphy on Thursday, marking the latest challenge to the administration’s attempts to roll back legal immigration status for people from non-Western countries.

Judge Emphasizes Congressional Authority Over Presidential Power

Judge Brian Murphy emphasized that the administration had ignored procedures set by Congress for handling Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations, as he stated that the will of the President cannot override the decisions of Congress, as it is a fundamental principle of the U.S. constitutional system.

“Fundamental to this case — and indeed to our constitutional system — is the principle that the will of the President does not supersede that of Congress,” Murphy wrote. “Presidential whims do not and cannot supplant agencies’ statutory obligations.”

Trump’s Efforts to Eliminate TPS for 13 Countries

The Trump administration has attempted to nix TPS designations for 13 countries as part of its broader effort to restrict migration to the United States and expel certain groups already living in the country. TPS grants eligible foreigners in the U.S. the right to remain and work in the country if their home is deemed temporarily unsafe due to conflict, natural disaster, or other “extraordinary” conditions.

In his decision, Murphy cited an executive order signed by Trump in January 2025, which instructed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to review whether TPS designations were “appropriately limited in scope.” He argued that this order provided DHS with a “pretextual” basis to eliminate TPS designations, bypassing normal protocols.

“It sent the signal that the outcome of designation, extension, and termination decisions will be preordained, rather than based on a meaningful review of in-country conditions,” according to Murphy.

Administration Calls Ruling an Obstacle to Immigration Reform

A DHS spokesperson responded to the Thursday ruling by stating that it was “just the latest example of judicial activists trying to prevent President Trump from restoring integrity to America’s legal immigration system.” The administration has repeatedly pushed for stricter immigration policies and has sought to end TPS protections for multiple countries.

Ethiopians were first granted TPS in 2022 under Trump’s Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden, due to armed conflict and humanitarian suffering, and their protected status was extended in April 2024, allowing them to live and work in the U.S. without fear of deportation.

The ruling by Judge Murphy is the latest in a series of legal challenges to the Trump administration’s immigration policies; Similar rulings have been issued in cases involving Yemeni Americans and Syrian migrants, where courts have also blocked attempts to revoke TPS protections.

Despite the administration’s efforts. The judiciary has repeatedly stepped in to challenge these policies, citing procedural violations and constitutional concerns. The TPS program has been a contentious issue in U.S. immigration law, with supporters arguing it provides vital protections for vulnerable populations and opponents claiming it creates a pathway to permanent residency for non-citizens.

The case highlights the ongoing legal battles over immigration policy and the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches of the federal government — As the administration continues to push for changes to the legal immigration system, the courts remain a key battleground for these disputes.