This is the one the Trump admin has been waiting for. The moment of truth has arrived.
As a federal court has handed down a massive deportation ruling for the Trump admin.
Appellate Court Allows Trump Administration to End TPS
A federal appeals court has authorized the Trump administration to proceed with terminating Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 10,000 Afghan and Cameroonian nationals, even as a legal challenge continues. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Monday that, despite a credible claim from the immigration advocacy group CASA, the evidence does not justify halting the TPS termination during the ongoing court proceedings.
“We agree with the district court that CASA, Inc. has stated a plausible claim for relief with regard to the alleged ‘preordained’ decision to terminate temporary protected status (TPS) for Afghanistan and Cameroon, and that the balance of the equities and the public interest weigh in favor of CASA, Inc,” the court stated, according to court documents.
“However, at this procedural posture, there is insufficient evidence to warrant the extraordinary remedy of a postponement of agency action pending appeal,” the ruling added. This court decision represents another step in the Trump administration’s efforts to ensure TPS remains a temporary measure, as originally intended.
Established under the Immigration Act of 1990, TPS provides deportation protections and work authorization to foreign nationals, including undocumented immigrants, from countries facing conflicts or natural disasters that make return unsafe, per U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
TPS does not confer permanent legal status, and individuals who lose it face deportation unless they secure another immigration status. Historically, however, TPS has often functioned as a long-term solution despite its temporary design.
For instance, Honduras and Nicaragua received TPS designations 25 years ago due to environmental disasters causing “substantial, but temporary” disruptions, according to a recent DHS memo. Over time, these designations have been repeatedly extended, with Nicaragua’s TPS renewed 13 times consecutively.
The Trump administration is now working to end TPS for Honduras and Nicaragua, asserting that conditions in these countries no longer justify the protections. Earlier this year, it also moved to cancel the Biden administration’s TPS extension for Haiti, in place since 2010, and an 18-month extension for approximately 600,000 Venezuelans.
“This is another win for the American people and the safety of our communities,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told reporters. “TPS was never intended to be a de facto asylum program, yet it has been abused as one for decades.”
“DHS records indicate that there are Afghan nationals who are TPS recipients who have been the subject of administrative investigations for fraud, public safety, and national security,” McLaughlin added. “This decision restores integrity in our immigration system and ensures that Temporary Protective Status is actually temporary.”
In May, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced that TPS for Afghan nationals would terminate within 60 days. Approximately 9,600 Afghans and 3,500 Cameroonians currently hold TPS, according to the National Immigration Forum. The protections for Afghans were set to expire in July, while those for Cameroonians are due to end on August 4.
Trump Administration’s National Security Enhancements Through Immigration Enforcement
The Trump administration has prioritized national security by intensifying efforts to curb illegal immigration and deport violent criminals, aligning with campaign promises to strengthen border security and public safety. Since taking office, President Donald Trump has implemented sweeping changes to immigration policy, focusing on enforcement, border control, and the removal of individuals deemed threats to American communities. These measures have drawn both support and criticism, with some acknowledging their effectiveness in addressing national security concerns.
In its first 100 days, the administration achieved significant milestones in immigration enforcement. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 66,463 illegal immigrants and deported 65,682, with 75% of those arrested having criminal convictions or pending charges. These include 2,288 gang members from groups like Tren de Aragua and MS-13, 1,329 individuals accused or convicted of s*x offenses, and 498 charged with or convicted of m*rder.
The administration’s focus on removing violent criminals has been a cornerstone of its national security strategy. ICE’s targeted operations have prioritized individuals with serious criminal records, including 9,639 assaults, 6,398 DUIs, and 1,479 weapons offenses. By designating international drug cartels and gangs like MS-13 and Tren de Aragua as foreign terrorist organizations, the administration has enabled a whole-of-government approach to dismantle their operations, further enhancing public safety.
To bolster enforcement, the Trump administration has expanded ICE’s capabilities through initiatives like “Operation At Large,” which involves over 5,000 federal law enforcement personnel and up to 21,000 National Guard troops. This operation, driven by White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, aims to increase daily arrests to 3,000, targeting both criminal and non-criminal immigrants. The administration has also repurposed military installations, such as Fort Bliss and Guantanamo Bay, for large-scale detention operations.
Legal changes have further supported these efforts. The administration has invoked the Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged gang members without due process, sending nearly 300 Tren de Aragua and MS-13 members to El Salvador’s CECOT prison. Additionally, it has expanded expedited removal nationwide, allowing deportations without immigration court hearings for those arrested within two years of entry, significantly increasing enforcement efficiency.
By terminating protections for over 600,000 individuals, DHS aims to deter long-term reliance on TPS and ensure that only those with legitimate, temporary needs remain. This move has been praised by supporters as a step toward securing U.S. borders and prioritizing American safety.
