On Friday, a California federal judge blocked the Trump administration from ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 5,000 Venezuelans. U.S. District Judge Edward E. Chen, appointed by President Obama, ruled that the administration must honor the TPS extension issued by former Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in January.
Chen’s ruling challenges an attempt by current Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who in February rescinded a Biden-era policy allowing Venezuelans to renew crucial documents like work permits.
In his order, Chen stated that Noem overstepped her legal authority by nullifying TPS documentation that had been valid through October 2, 2026. “Plaintiffs’ argument is valid,” Chen wrote. “The TPS statute does not grant the Secretary power to take such action.”
He added that the TPS extension had tangible effects, even if briefly in place.
While the Supreme Court previously allowed the Trump administration to roll back some protections for migrants, that decision doesn’t prevent legal challenges to Noem’s move. Attorneys for those impacted argued that her actions were racially motivated.
Noem has also recently terminated deportation protections for Haitians.
The Trump administration is currently facing multiple lawsuits from plaintiffs accusing it of unlawful deportations and denying due process.
Despite Trump’s campaign promises of record-breaking deportations, removal rates under his administration remain below those during the Biden era.
