NYC aligns with a partnership to tackle the termination of temporary protected status for immigrants from Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua.
In a significant legal move, the National Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Alliance, along with seven individual plaintiffs, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on July 7, 2025, challenging the termination of TPS for immigrants from Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has ordered that Honduran and Nicaraguan TPS holders lose their status and work authorization in 60 days, with Nepali TPS holders losing their status by August 5, 2025.
A coalition of 15 attorneys general, including New York City's Attorney General Letitia James, has filed an amicus curiae brief opposing the DHS's termination actions. The coalition argues that the DHS's attempt to strip TPS protections is unlawful and baseless, emphasizing the severe humanitarian and economic consequences of ending these protections.
The coalition's key arguments include the long-term contributions of TPS holders to their U.S. communities, the potential harm to over 60,000 individuals if TPS is terminated, and the threat of widespread family separations. They urge the court to postpone the proposed TPS terminations to prevent humanitarian harm and disruption to families and communities.
New York City, represented by Corporation Counsel Muriel Goode-Trufant, has joined a coalition of 13 local governments in urging a federal court to maintain TPS for immigrants from Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua. The brief argues that TPS holders are deeply integrated into their local communities and contribute significantly to the economy and public life.
If TPS is terminated, thousands of immigrants could lose work authorization and face deportation. Separating families could cause long-term psychological and physical harm to children, including increased risks of anxiety, depression, and other serious health issues.
A federal judge in New York previously halted the Trump administration's attempt to cut short TPS protections for Haitians by six months. Judge Brian Cogan ordered that Haiti's TPS remain in effect through its original end date in February 2026.
Mayor Eric Adams described TPS as "one of the crucial tools the federal government has to help asylum seekers and migrants contribute to our society lawfully." The TPS program protects immigrants from designated countries affected by war, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions. It allows individuals with TPS to obtain work permits and be granted travel authorization.
Under President Donald Trump, DHS moved to end TPS for Nepal on June 6, affecting about 7,200 Nepali nationals. The designation is set to expire on Aug. 5. Secretary Noem announced the termination of TPS for Nicaragua and Honduras, claiming that conditions in both countries have improved enough that it is "safe to return home."
However, the coalition warns that ending TPS would result in widespread family separation, particularly affecting U.S. citizen children whose parents could face deportation. Ending TPS could undermine public safety by causing former TPS holders to lose work authorization and become less likely to cooperate with police.
The loss of Honduran TPS workers in New York alone would result in an estimated $270.3 million annual reduction in the state's gross domestic product. TPS holders contributed $126 million in state and local taxes in New York in 2021.
The coalition, spearheaded by Los Angeles County, includes jurisdictions such as Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Monica, San Francisco, and West Hollywood in California; Boulder County, Colorado; Chicago, Illinois; Somerville, Massachusetts; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Portland, Oregon; and Providence, Rhode Island. They have urged the court to block the federal government's plan to terminate TPS for the three countries beginning in August and September.
- The lawsuit filed by the National Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Alliance and seven individual plaintiffs on July 7, 2025, falls under the category of policy-and-legislation, challenging the termination of TPS for immigrants from Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua, which is part of the ongoing politics and general news.
- The coalition of local governments, including New York City, argue that TPS holders are deeply integrated into their communities, making significant contributions to the economy and public life, promoting a discussion on policy-and-legislation, politics, and general news.
