DHS Criticizes Federal Judge for Blocking Termination of TPS for South Sudan

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has criticized U.S. District Judge Patti Saris for issuing a temporary stay that blocks the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for South Sudanese nationals. This decision comes despite a recent Supreme Court ruling that limited lower courts' authority to intervene in such matters. Judge Saris's order preserves TPS protections while she reviews whether the plaintiffs can amend their lawsuit to seek constitutional relief. DHS General Counsel James Percival stated that this decision represents a defiance of the Supreme Court's authority. Legal experts, including Hans von Spakovsky, argue that Judge Saris lacks the jurisdiction to grant such relief following the Supreme Court's ruling in Mullin v. Doe, which affirmed that federal law restricts courts from reviewing TPS decisions. The case was initiated by African Communities Together and four South Sudanese immigrants, who claim that the DHS unlawfully ended TPS without following necessary procedures and that the decision was based on unconstitutional discrimination. The temporary order will remain in effect until the 1st Circuit Court reviews the case.