BOSTON — A US court ruling in Massachusetts on Friday temporarily halted this looming order Termination of temporary protected status For immigrants from Somalia.
US District Judge Alison D. Burroughs’ ruling said there would be “heavy” consequences if Somalia’s temporary protected status was allowed to expire on Tuesday. Lawyers filed an emergency motion in federal court seeking to temporarily halt the termination after the Trump administration promised to end the designation last month during Immigration campaign In Minneapolis, Where many Somalis live.
“More than a thousand people will face a myriad of serious risks, including detention, deportation, physical violence if returned to Somalia, and forced separation from family members,” the ruling said.
Burroughs said implementing the administrative stay and postponing adjudication gives both sides time to submit briefs on the emergency proposal.
“While the moratorium is in effect, the termination is void, and has no legal effect,” the ruling said, noting that those with TPS status or pending applications will retain rights including eligibility for a work permit and protection from deportation and detention.
The US Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that the ruling by the judge appointed by former President Barack Obama is the latest example of Trump being prevented from “restoring the integrity” of the US immigration system.
“Temporary means temporary,” the statement said. “Conditions in Somalia have improved to the point that they no longer meet the law’s requirements for temporary protected status. Allowing Somali citizens to remain temporarily in the United States is contrary to our national interests. The Trump administration is putting Americans first.”
Representatives for the plaintiffs opposing the termination said in a statement that although the order is temporary and “many battles lie ahead,” they are “encouraged by the temporary protections today’s order provides to all Somalis in the United States who have TPS or pending TPS applications.”