A last-minute reprieve has been granted to South Sudanese nationals living in the United States, halting their potential deportation. A federal court in Massachusetts issued an administrative stay Tuesday, temporarily blocking the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for this vulnerable population.
The planned termination, set for January 6th, threatened the lawful status of approximately 232 South Sudanese individuals currently protected under TPS. An additional 73 pending applications were also at risk, leaving families facing the terrifying prospect of being forced back to a nation grappling with ongoing conflict and instability.
The lawsuit, spearheaded by African Communities Together and individual TPS holders, argued that ending this protection would inflict irreversible harm. Returning individuals to South Sudan could expose them to life-threatening danger, effectively stripping them of their safety and security.
Judge Angel Kelley, recognizing the gravity of the situation, acknowledged the “legally complex” nature of the case and the potential for “deadly harm.” Her decision to grant the stay ensures that those with TPS or pending applications will maintain their lawful status, work authorization, and protection from deportation for now.
South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, gained independence in 2011 after a brutal, decades-long civil war. This fragile peace was shattered in 2013 when fighting erupted between government forces and opposition groups, unleashing a wave of violence and displacement.
The conflict has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and forced nearly two million people from their homes. Recent clashes, including a disturbing incident in February, continue to place civilians – particularly women and children – in extreme peril, with harrowing reports of sexual violence, killings, and abductions.
The crisis is compounded by the escalating conflict in neighboring Sudan. A power struggle between the Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has displaced approximately 12 million people, creating a humanitarian catastrophe of immense proportions.
The United Nations Human Rights Office has accused the RSF of horrific atrocities, including summary executions, mass killings, rapes, and attacks on aid workers. A particularly devastating drone strike, allegedly ordered by the RSF in December, targeted a kindergarten and hospital, claiming the lives of 114 people, including 63 children.
While the administrative stay provides temporary relief, it is not a final judgment. The Department of Homeland Security must now present its opposition by January 9th, with a reply from the plaintiffs due on January 13th. The court will then weigh the arguments and determine the future of TPS for South Sudanese nationals.
This case underscores the profound human consequences of political instability and the desperate need for international protection. The lives of hundreds hang in the balance, awaiting a decision that will determine whether they can continue to build lives in safety or face the unimaginable horrors of returning home.
