United States: District Court Temporarily Stays Termination of South Sudan TPS
December 31, 2025
On December 30, 2025, a federal district court in Massachusetts ordered a temporary hold on termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for South Sudan, which was set to end on January 6, 2026. During the temporary stay, South Sudan TPS beneficiaries will continue to be eligible for work authorization and have protection against deportation and detention based on TPS status. The case is African Communities Together v. Noem, 25-CV-13939-PBS (D. Mass, filed Dec. 22, 2025).
In early November, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem had declined to extend the TPS designation for South Sudan, which was set to expire on November 3, 2025, but beneficiaries were granted a transition period through January 5, 2026 during which they would continue to be covered by TPS. The court’s December 30 order temporarily delays TPS termination beyond the end of the transition period in order to preserve the status quo while the court considers the merits of the case. The administrative stay is slated to remain in effect during the parties’ proposed briefing schedule, which is set to end in mid-January, and through any oral argument, until the judge renders a decision. The Trump Administration is likely to seek a reversal of the stay.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
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