Judge lifts stay, allowing termination of Ethiopian TPS for 5,000+ nationals

A federal judge in Boston has cleared the way for the U.S. government to terminate Temporary Protected Status for more than 5,000 Ethiopian nationals, exposing them to potential deportation. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, lifted a legal hold that had temporarily shielded the group, formally authorizing the Department of Homeland Security to enforce the termination nationwide.

The decision removes the final legal hurdle for the administration to end the humanitarian protection, which had allowed Ethiopians to live and work legally in the United States. The Department of Homeland Security moved quickly to confirm the change, stating on social media that all TPS terminations are now in effect. Officials directed affected individuals to leave the country immediately or face deportation proceedings.

The legal dispute stems from a determination last year by then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that conditions in Ethiopia no longer met the statutory criteria required for an ongoing emergency designation. The termination was initially scheduled to take effect on February 13, 2026, but was paused by an administrative stay issued by...