Federal Courts Clear Way for South Sudan, Myanmar Deportations
Key Points
- Two federal judges in Boston and Chicago on August 8, 2026 rejected efforts to block the Trump administration from ending Temporary Protected Status for South Sudan and Myanmar nationals.
- The terminations would end protections for approximately 232 South Sudanese nationals and roughly 4,000 people from Myanmar.
- The Supreme Court's June ruling limited lower courts' ability to block Department of Homeland Security decisions on TPS, granting the executive branch broad authority over the program.
Judge Saris rejected the argument that DHS lacked authority to terminate TPS, stating that accepting such a claim would call into question not only DHS authority to end the protections but also its longstanding authority to extend them. Judge Kennelly reached a similar conclusion in the Myanmar case hours later, using parallel reasoning to reject the legal challenge.
The DHS had initiated moves in November 2025 to end TPS for South Sudan, which has held the designation since 2011 amid ongoing armed conflict, and Myanmar, which has been in political turmoil since a military coup in 2021. TPS shields people from deportation and grants work authorization when their home countries face armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions.
Read Next
Russia-Ukraine: At Least 6 Killed in Attacks on August 7
11 hours ago
Conservatives Pledge to Ban Foreign Nationals from Social Housing
19 hours ago
TPS recipients had been granted an "administrative stay" during the ongoing legal battle, allowing them to continue working and living in the United States. Immigrant-rights advocates have warned that the August 8 rulings expose these individuals to possible deportation to countries still experiencing conflict and instability.
James Percival, General Counsel of DHS, said in a statement on X that the new rulings leave only TPS terminations for Ethiopian and Somalian nationals still blocked by courts. "Every day these 'administrative stays' are in effect is a day the American people are denied what they voted for," Percival wrote.
Related coverage: Russia-Ukraine: At Least 6 Killed in Attacks on August 7
The August 8 decisions mark the culmination of a broader campaign by the Trump administration to restrict TPS, a program that has historically provided humanitarian protection to foreign nationals whose countries face crises preventing their safe return. The courts' rejection of legal challenges removes significant obstacles to implementing the administration's termination plan for South Sudan and Myanmar.
What Happens Next
The DHS is expected to proceed with enforcement actions to deport affected South Sudanese and Myanmar nationals unless Congress passes legislation to reinstate TPS for these countries. TPS recipients currently have administrative stays in place but face uncertain timelines for removal proceedings. Ongoing litigation for Ethiopia and Somalia TPS designations will likely continue through lower courts before potentially reaching appeals.
Sources: Al Jazeera and other international news outlets.
Disclaimer: This article was produced with AI assistance based on publicly available news sources. While we strive for accuracy, NewsOracle makes no warranty as to the completeness or accuracy of the information. Errors and omissions may occur. Readers should independently verify all information before acting on it. NewsOracle does not intend to defame any individual or organisation and accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on this content. Content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, medical, or professional advice. All rights reserved. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.
NewsOracle Editorial
The NewsOracle Politics Desk covers US politics, Congress, the White House, Supreme Court, global elections and international relations.
Latest coverage: Trump Administration
