A Massachusetts federal court has postponed the Trump administration’s termination of Temporary Protected Status for Ethiopia, allowing immigrants from Ethiopia to remain protected from deportation. U.S. District Judge Brian E. Murphy ruled that the government terminated TPS without regard for the process Congress established and found that plaintiffs are likely to succeed in showing the government failed to consult with appropriate agencies before terminating Ethiopia’s designation, in violation of the TPS statute.
What changed
The Secretary of Homeland Security had determined that Ethiopia no longer met the statutory conditions for TPS, with the termination published in the Federal Register on December 15, 2025. The termination was set to be effective February 13, 2026.
On January 30, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued an order staying the TPS Ethiopia termination in African Communities Together et al. v. Noem. U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy granted a request to postpone the effective date of Ethiopia’s TPS termination.
TPS Ethiopia beneficiaries will keep their status and employment authorization, and their documentation will remain valid per the court order. Forms I-766, Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) with category A12 or C19 remain valid and are extended, with expiration dates extended pending resolution of the litigation.
Why it matters
This stay affects over 5,000 Ethiopian TPS beneficiaries currently in the United States. Your clients holding TPS for Ethiopia are not losing status or work authorization. Their legal status is frozen pending the outcome of the litigation—meaning they remain eligible to work, obtain state identification, file taxes, and travel with advance parole as long as the stay remains in effect.
The court’s reasoning matters too: the judge found the plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits—specifically, that the government failed to consult with appropriate agencies before terminating Ethiopia’s designation, a violation of the TPS statute. This procedural failure, rather than a challenge to country conditions, is the basis for the stay. It signals the court views the government’s termination process as legally defective, not merely disagreeable.
For employment verification: when completing the Expiration Date fields on Form I-9, input “as per court order” in Section 1 and “April 13, 2026” in Section 2 along with a note in the additional information box. These instructions will likely change as the litigation proceeds.
As this matter is in active litigation, the status of the individual’s TPS and employment authorization is dependent on developments in the litigation.
Way forward
- Advise clients: Notify all Ethiopian TPS beneficiaries that the February 13, 2026 termination is postponed. They retain status and work authorization while the court case proceeds.
- Update I-9 procedures: Ensure your HR/employment verification process reflects the current USCIS guidance on how to complete and verify EADs under the court order.
- Monitor USCIS TPS page: USCIS advises that user agencies should check the USCIS TPS Ethiopia page regularly for updates, as the agency is likely to revise guidance as litigation develops.
- Document the court order: Maintain a copy of the stay order (African Communities Together v. Noem, No. 26-cv-10278-BEM) in your case files for any future inquiries from USCIS or employers regarding the validity of EADs issued to your clients.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Folaform is a technology company, not a law firm. You should consult with a licensed immigration attorney to assess your specific situation and understand how this court decision affects your individual eligibility, status, and work authorization. Court orders and USCIS policy can change without notice. Verify all information against the primary sources cited above and the official USCIS TPS Ethiopia page before advising clients or taking action.