Federal Judge Clears Way for Ethiopia TPS Termination

• A federal judge in Massachusetts lifted a court order that had temporarily blocked the termination of Temporary Protected Status for Ethiopia, allowing the Department of Homeland Security to move forward with ending TPS protections for Ethiopian nationals.  

Ethiopia TPS Termination 

A federal judge has cleared the way for DHS to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ethiopia by lifting a stay that had temporarily prevented the agency from ending the designation. The decision comes in African Communities Together et al. v. Noem et al., a case challenging DHS’s December 2025 determination that Ethiopia no longer meets the conditions required for TPS.  

The ruling follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 2026 decision in Mullin v. Doe, which allowed the administration to proceed with certain TPS terminations while litigation continues.  

Background 

In December 2025, DHS announced the termination of Ethiopia’s TPS designation, concluding that conditions in the country no longer justified the program’s continuation. The termination notice was published in the Federal Register and provided for the eventual end of TPS-related protections and employment authorization.  

However, in January 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts temporarily blocked the termination while litigation proceeded. As a result, Ethiopia TPS beneficiaries continued to receive certain protections and employment authorization benefits under court-ordered extensions.  

USCIS most recently stated that Ethiopia TPS-related Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) remained valid pursuant to the court order and that the temporary extension was intended to remain in place only pending further judicial action.  

What Happened? 

On Aug. 18, 2026, U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy lifted the stay blocking DHS from implementing the Ethiopia TPS termination. As a result, DHS may now proceed with ending TPS protections for Ethiopian nationals while the broader legal challenge continues.

The court did not dismiss the underlying lawsuit, and litigation over the legality of the TPS termination remains ongoing. However, the ruling removes the primary obstacle that had prevented DHS from effectuating the termination.  

What’s Next? 

DHS is now positioned to move forward with the termination of the Ethiopia TPS unless a higher court intervenes. The underlying lawsuit challenging the termination remains pending, and additional litigation could follow.  

USCIS is expected to provide further guidance regarding employment authorization and compliance requirements for affected beneficiaries and their employers.  

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