South Sudanese Immigrants Face Uncertain Future as Court Reviews TPS Revocation

Wed Dec 31 2025 04:22:28 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A federal judge is deliberating whether to uphold or block the Trump administration's decision to end Temporary Protected Status for South Sudanese nationals amid claims of racial bias and unconstitutional actions.

Hundreds of South Sudanese nationals in the United States may soon face deportation following the Trump administration's decision to end their Temporary Protected Status, which is currently being challenged in court. A federal judge has temporarily blocked deportations while listening to the case, which argues that the change violates constitutional rights and disproportionately targets non-white immigrants. The DHS, however, maintains that the situation in South Sudan has improved, countering claims from affected communities about ongoing risks.

As the future of hundreds of South Sudanese immigrants hangs in the balance, a federal court is currently weighing the legality of the Trump administration's decision to revoke their Temporary Protected Status (TPS). This revocation would impact approximately 300 South Sudanese individuals who have made lives for themselves in the United States, with deportation threats looming if the decision is upheld.

The federal government's intention to end TPS, slated to take effect on January 6, 2026, has drawn criticism and led civil rights groups to file a lawsuit, accusing the administration of violating constitutional rights and administering policies aimed at reducing non-white immigrant populations. In response, U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley issued a temporary order that prevents deportation while the court reviews the case.

“These significant and far-reaching consequences not only deserve, but require, a full and careful consideration of the merits by the Court,” Judge Kelley noted, emphasizing potential irreversible harm to migrants if the decision is enforced.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has described the court's order as an overreach, asserting that previous TPS designations were abused to allow individuals threatening national security into the country. However, critics contend that the situation in South Sudan remains perilous, filled with instability and ongoing humanitarian crises.

As the hearing unfolds, the wider implications of this case develop against a backdrop of broader immigration debates within the U.S., questioning the administration's approach towards various immigrant groups seeking refuge.

South Sudanese nationals were granted TPS in 2011 in light of the country's ongoing conflicts, but the DHS insists that conditions have sufficiently improved to warrant the termination of this protection. Critics reject this notion, presenting evidence of worsening conditions that suggest many still face dire circumstances in their homeland.

The evolving situation underscores the complexities of immigration policy, potential racial biases in judicial decision-making, and the profound impact these legal negotiations have on the lives of vulnerable communities.