A U.S. federal judge has temporarily halted the Trump administration’s attempt to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 350,000 Venezuelan immigrants, ruling that the move is likely unlawful.
In a nationwide injunction issued Monday, U.S. District Judge Edward Chen blocked Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s plan to terminate TPS, a designation that allows immigrants from crisis-stricken countries to remain in the United States. The court order ensures that protections remain in place while legal proceedings continue.
Judge Chen, in a 78-page ruling, stated that the plaintiffs—led by the National TPS Alliance—demonstrated a strong likelihood of success in proving that Noem’s actions were “unauthorized by law, arbitrary and capricious, and motivated by unconstitutional animus.” He further warned that revoking TPS could cause “irreparable harm” to hundreds of thousands of individuals, disrupt families and livelihoods, and result in significant economic losses and public safety concerns across the United States.
“At the same time, the government has failed to identify any real countervailing harm in continuing TPS for Venezuelan beneficiaries,” Chen wrote.
Legal Battle Over TPS for Venezuelans
The Trump administration had argued that TPS protections for Venezuelans were no longer justified, citing improvements in Venezuela’s economy, public health, and crime rates. However, advocates and legal experts challenged this claim, emphasizing ongoing humanitarian concerns under the leadership of Nicolás Maduro.
TPS for Venezuelans was first granted in 2021 under the Biden administration in response to what officials called a “severe humanitarian emergency.” The status was initially set for 18 months but was later extended until October 2026. According to court filings, approximately 600,000 Venezuelan immigrants have benefited from the designation.
In February, Noem announced that the administration would strip legal status from 350,000 Venezuelan immigrants, with additional revocations set for September. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also planned to terminate the humanitarian parole program known as CHNV, which has provided temporary legal status to over 530,000 immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
Reactions and Next Steps
Jose Palma, coordinator of the National TPS Alliance, hailed the court ruling as a victory for TPS holders. “We will continue this fight with unwavering resolve, not only to protect the future of 350,000 Venezuelans but to defend all TPS holders in this country,” Palma said in a statement.
The lawsuit, filed in March, argues that Noem lacks the legal authority to revoke TPS and accuses the administration of racial bias in its immigration policies.
The DHS has not yet responded to requests for comment. The case is expected to continue through the courts, with broader implications for immigration policy under the Trump administration.