Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Federal judge delays expiration of TPS for Hondurans, Nicaraguans and Nepalese
An activist marches during a 2023 rally in Washington, D.C., for temporary protected status for Central American migrants to allow them to stay in the United States.
(
Kevin Dietsch
/
Getty Images
)
A federal judge in San Francisco on Thursday blocked the Trump administration, for now, from terminating Temporary Protected Status for people from Honduras, Nicaragua and Nepal.
Judge Trina Thompson's decision postopones the terminations until November, when a hearing to discuss the merits will take place. It affects about 60,000 immigrants whose temporary protected status was set to expire beginning August 5. Most of them have been living in the U.S. for more than 20 years.
In her ruling, Thompson chided the actions of the Trump administration.
"The freedom to live fearlessly, the opportunity of liberty, and the American dream. That is all Plaintiffs seek," Thompson wrote. "Instead, they are told to atone for their race, leave because of their names, and purify their blood. The Court disagrees."
Support for LAist comes from
The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Under the law that created TPS, presidents have the authority to grant protected status to migrants from countries experiencing conditions that will prevent them from returning safely, such as natural disasters and civil wars.
In 1999, Hondurans and Nicaraguans were granted TPS for the first time after Hurricane Mitch caused widespread destruction. Nepal was added to the list of TPS countries after a devastating earthquake in 2015.
Since taking office, the Trump administration has moved to end the TPS designation for many countries, including Venezuela and Haiti.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said earlier this month the decision to end TPS for Nicaragua "restores integrity in our immigration system and ensures that TPS remains temporary."
"Temporary Protected Status was never meant to last a quarter of a century," the spokesperson said. "The impacts of a natural disaster impacting Nicaragua in 1999 no longer exist. The environmental situation has improved enough that it is safe enough for Nicaraguan citizens to return home."
Support for LAist comes from
At the same time, the Department of State has advised U.S. citizens to: "Reconsider travel to Nicaragua due to arbitrary enforcement of laws, the risk of wrongful detention, and limited healthcare availability."
Regarding the ending of TPS for Hondurans, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated in a press release earlier this month: "It is clear that the Government of Honduras has taken all of the necessary steps to overcome the impacts of Hurricane Mitch, almost 27 years ago."
"Honduran citizens can safely return home, and DHS is here to help facilitate their voluntary return," Noem said.
Judge Thompson said in her ruling that the Trump administration's decisions to end the programs "were based on a preordained determination to end the TPS program, rather than an objective review of the country conditions."
Courts across the country, including the U.S. Supreme Court, have heard challenges to the termination of TPS for different groups.
Copyright 2025 NPR
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago. -
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
Best of LAist