The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals delivered a significant blow to the Trump administration’s plans on Friday.
In a ruling issued on August 29, 2025, a panel of three judges halted the administration’s efforts to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 600,000 Venezuelan citizens residing in the United States.
This ruling, which effectively maintains legal status and employment authorization for hundreds of thousands, represents an ongoing conflict between the White House and organizations advocating for immigrant rights.
As reported by The Independent, the appeals court judges sustained a previous ruling delivered by federal judge Edward Chen in spring. Chen determined that plaintiffs presented compelling arguments against the Trump administration’s decision, suggesting possible racial bias underlying the government’s initiative.
Judge Chen initially mandated an immediate suspension of TPS terminations. However, the Supreme Court later nullified his order without providing explanation, a typical procedure in emergency appeals. Friday’s decision now reinstates hope for program participants, despite continued uncertainty.
The concrete effects of this latest ruling remain ambiguous. According to The Independent, roughly 350,000 Venezuelans had already forfeited their legal status in April due to non-renewal. Another 250,000 face an imminent September 10 deadline.
Affected families continue to experience distress. Many have established lives in the United States spanning more than ten years, creating homes and contributing to the workforce. TPS, established by Congress through the 1990 Immigration Act, was designed to offer humanitarian protection to foreign nationals facing severe circumstances in their homeland: civil conflicts, environmental disasters, or political upheaval.
From the administration’s perspective, the decision to terminate protections stemmed from an alternative assessment. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem declared that “conditions in Venezuela and Haiti have improved” and maintaining an indefinite extension of a temporary program contradicted national interests.
This reasoning failed to persuade the appellate judges, who determined that the government’s presented evidence was inadequate to dismiss the ongoing dangers confronting Venezuelan nationals.
Venezuela continues to struggle with a profound economic and social crisis. According to The Independent, the nation experiences persistent hyperinflation, widespread unemployment, and critical food shortages. These challenges are compounded by persistent allegations of political corruption and resource mismanagement, driving millions of citizens to seek refuge in neighboring countries and the United States.
Many specialists contend that claims of improvement reflect political rhetoric rather than actual circumstances.
Although the Ninth Circuit’s ruling provides temporary relief for TPS beneficiaries, the matter remains unresolved. The Trump administration maintains the option to pursue another appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, which retains ultimate authority. The high court previously demonstrated willingness to support the government’s position by overturning Judge Chen’s original order.
Meanwhile, countless Venezuelan households anxiously await their fate. For these families, TPS signifies more than just a legal designation: it represents their ability to remain in a nation where they’ve established roots, while their home country continues enduring its ongoing crisis.
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Source: The Independent
