Federal Court Blocks Termination of TPS for Honduras, Nicaragua, and Nepal: A Legal Lifeline for Over 60,000 Individuals

In a landmark ruling issued on July 31, 2025, U.S. District Judge Trina L. Thompson ordered a delay in the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of Honduras, Nicaragua, and Nepal, halting efforts by the Trump administration to revoke legal status for approximately 60,000 long-term residents of the U.S. This landmark ruling delays the TPS termination for Honduras, Nicaragua, and Nepal, offering a legal lifeline to over 60,000 individuals who faced losing their status.

This decision represents a significant judicial check on executive overreach in the administration of humanitarian protections and highlights the centrality of due process, racial neutrality, and fact-based determinations under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

TPS and the Trump Administration's Termination Efforts

Temporary Protected Status is a humanitarian mechanism created by Congress under the INA to provide temporary lawful status to nationals of countries that are experiencing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions. TPS allows beneficiaries to lawfully remain and work in the United States until the conditions in their home countries are deemed safe for return.

TPS designations for Honduras and Nicaragua were granted in the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch in 1998, while Nepal was designated in 2015 following a catastrophic earthquake. Many TPS holders from these nations have resided in the U.S. for over two decades, raising families, paying taxes, and contributing to the economy and society in essential sectors such as construction, caregiving, agriculture, and healthcare.

Under the Trump administration, however, DHS announced the termination of TPS for these countries, asserting that the original conditions necessitating the protections had improved and no longer warranted continued designation. The terminations were accompanied by sharply reduced review processes and public statements suggesting a broader policy intent to reduce humanitarian-based immigration benefits.

Federal Court Blocks TPS Termination for Honduras, Nicaragua, and Nepal

Judge Thompson's ruling did more than temporarily preserve TPS status, it delivered a pointed critique of the rationale behind the termination decisions. In her opinion, she found that the DHS’s actions lacked an objective, good-faith assessment of current country conditions, and may have been infected by racial and national origin bias, as evidenced by statements made by former President Donald Trump and officials within the Department of Homeland Security.

Notably, Judge Thompson invoked one of Trump's widely publicized remarks claiming that immigrants were “poisoning the blood” of the country, and she squarely rejected such framing by asserting: “Color is neither a poison nor a crime.” Her decision emphasized that immigration policy particularly that which targets populations already legally residing in the country must be based on evidence, fairness, and statutory criteria, not political expedience or discriminatory animus.

The ruling enjoins DHS from carrying out the termination of TPS for the affected countries until a full hearing on the merits is held, currently scheduled for November 18, 2025. In the interim, TPS beneficiaries from Honduras, Nicaragua, and Nepal will retain their lawful status and employment authorization.

The ruling reinforces the principle that executive discretion in immigration matters, while broad, is not unbounded. Agencies such as DHS are required to act within the confines of administrative law, including the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), and constitutional mandates such as equal protection under the Fifth Amendment.

The decision also recognizes the profound reliance interests of TPS holders. These individuals have, for decades in many cases, built stable lives in the United States. Many are parents to U.S. citizen children, homeowners, and integral parts of the workforce. The abrupt revocation of their lawful status, without a robust factual and legal basis, would not only inflict severe hardship on those individuals and their families but would also destabilize communities and impose economic costs on employers and local economies.

DHS Response and Political Ramifications

The Department of Homeland Security reacted to the ruling with strong disapproval, issuing a public statement on August 1 characterizing Judge Thompson as an "activist judge" and criticizing the decision as politically motivated. DHS reaffirmed its belief that TPS is a temporary measure and that the terminations were lawful and overdue. The department signaled its intent to pursue an appeal.

This response reflects an ongoing tension between the judiciary and the executive over immigration enforcement discretion, and it signals that TPS holders should remain vigilant, even as this ruling grants temporary relief.

It is also worth noting that this decision may influence similar cases involving other countries whose TPS designations have come under review or have been terminated under similar circumstances, including Venezuela, Haiti, and El Salvador. The court's emphasis on the need for neutrality and evidence-based decision-making sets an important precedent that may be relied upon in future litigation.

As the November hearing approaches, immigrant advocacy organizations, legal scholars, and public interest litigators will be watching closely. The outcome could redefine how TPS determinations are made and scrutinized, especially when prior renewal patterns suggest that political motivations may override humanitarian considerations.

For now, the ruling provides breathing room both for the individuals directly affected and for a legal system tasked with ensuring that immigration laws are administered fairly, consistently, and humanely.

TPS holders and their advocates should continue to monitor updates, consult qualified immigration counsel, and prepare for both the opportunities and uncertainties ahead.

Patricia Elizee is the managing partner of the Elizee Law Firm, an immigration law firm located at 1110 Brickell Avenue, Suite 315, Miami, Florida 33131. Phone 305-371-8846. The law firm was established in 2012. Ms. Elizee earned her Juris Doctorate at the University of Miami School of Law and her Masters in Law from the University of Washington School of Law.