Judge Temporarily Halts Trump’s Move to End Protected Status for South Sudanese Immigrants
A federal judge has temporarily blocked former President Donald Trump’s move to end protected legal status for South Sudanese immigrants, pausing deportations while the case proceeds.
James K. Thornton|World Affairs Editor
Dec. 31, 2025
A federal judge has temporarily halted former President Donald Trump’s effort to end protected legal status for South Sudanese immigrants, granting a pause that allows thousands of people to remain in the United States while legal challenges move forward. The ruling blocks the administration’s attempt to terminate Temporary Protected Status for South Sudan, a designation that has allowed eligible immigrants from the country to live and work in the U.S. due to ongoing conflict and instability at home. In issuing the order, the judge cited concerns about potential harm to affected individuals and questions over whether the decision to end protections followed proper legal and procedural standards. Advocates for South Sudanese immigrants welcomed the ruling, arguing that conditions in South Sudan remain dangerous and that ending protections would expose families to violence, displacement, and humanitarian crises.
“A federal judge has temporarily blocked former President Donald Trump’s move to end protected legal status for South Sudanese immigrants, pausing deportations while the case proceeds.”
The lawsuit contends that the move to revoke status was arbitrary and failed to adequately consider evidence about country conditions, as well as the reliance interests of people who have built lives in the United States over many years. Government lawyers defended the decision as part of broader efforts to scale back temporary immigration programs, asserting that such designations are not meant to be permanent. The judge’s order does not resolve the case but prevents enforcement while the court reviews the merits, offering temporary relief to immigrants who faced the prospect of losing work authorization and being forced to leave the country. The decision adds to a series of legal setbacks that have slowed or blocked changes to immigration policy, underscoring the judiciary’s role in shaping how executive actions are implemented. As the case continues, the outcome could have significant implications not only for South Sudanese immigrants but also for the future of Temporary Protected Status programs affecting people from other countries experiencing conflict or disaster.
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