The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals opined Monday that the Trump administration would be able to end the temporary protective status for migrants from Afghanistan and Cameroon.
The government was able to deport the Afghani migrants starting Monday evening. The order applies to approximately 11,700 of them.
Meanwhile, TPS for Cameroonians is set to expire on August 4th.
The immigration activist group CASA had filed the original lawsuit against the administration and previously won a temporary ruling from the same court. Although the original ruling applied for seven days, they hoped the court would extend that.
CASA legal director Ama Frimpong had said at the time that, “[W]e are pleased with the Fourth Circuit’s decision to temporarily pause the termination of TPS for Afghanistan. Although temporary, every moment counts when it comes to families figuring out their futures and being protected from ICE’s terror. We will fight for this pause on the termination to continue well beyond July 21. We are confident that the Court will agree with us: the Trump administration’s attempt to end TPS for Afghanistan and other countries is a racist, unlawful action that cannot stand.”
However, the court opined that, “[T]here is insufficient evidence to warrant the extraordinary remedy of a postponement of agency action pending appeal.”
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said that Monday’s ruling will bring TPS back to its original intent.
“Afghanistan has had an improved security situation, and its stabilizing economy no longer prevent them from returning to their home country. Additionally, the termination furthers the national interest as DHS records indicate that there are recipients who have been under investigation for fraud and threatening our public safety and national security. Reviewing TPS designations is a key part of restoring integrity in our immigration system,” Noem said.