A federal district judge in Boston has temporarily halted policies initiated under the Trump administration that aimed to revoke work permits and hinder asylum applications for thousands of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients. This decision, reported by U.S. media outlets, blocks these measures from taking effect.
Judge Nathaniel Gorton, appointed by former Republican President George H.W. Bush, issued an emergency order valid until August 5. By that date, he will decide whether to extend the suspension into a long-term measure.
Legal Action Against Policy Changes
The lawsuit leading to this ruling was filed on July 1 by a coalition including the National TPS Alliance, the Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts, the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP), and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), all represented by the legal organization Democracy Forward.
The plaintiffs argue that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) implemented these new rules retroactively without public notice or a comment period, thus violating the Administrative Procedure Act.
Origins of the Policy Dispute
The conflict stems from the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," enacted by Trump in July 2025. This legislation introduced a $100 annual fee for asylum seekers for the first time and restricted work authorizations for TPS beneficiaries.
While Judge Gorton allowed the government to continue collecting this fee, he prohibited USCIS from revoking work permits or penalizing those who haven't paid while the legal battle continues.
Impact on Affected Groups
The ruling provides protection to asylum seekers from all countries and specific groups of TPS beneficiaries.
Haitians with existing permits can maintain them until November 2026, coinciding with the latest TPS renewal approved by President Joe Biden's administration.
For Venezuelans, the relief is limited, benefiting only between 5,000 and 10,000 individuals who renewed their TPS before February 5, 2025, according to the Venezuelan American Caucus.
The order also prevented the revocation of work authorizations for TPS holders from El Salvador, Sudan, and Ukraine, who would have lost their permits starting July 22.
As for Cubans, who did not have an active TPS in 2026, the decision stops the automatic cancellation of work permits for non-payment of the annual fee for those with pending asylum applications.
"The court's decision ensures that thousands of families do not lose their livelihoods or peace of mind while the legality of these policies is determined," stated Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward.
Adelys Ferro, executive director of the Venezuelan American Caucus, emphasized, "The most crucial aspect of this decision is its impact on asylum seekers with pending cases who were at risk of losing their work permits or facing expedited deportation for not paying the new $100 annual fee."
A Temporary Relief Amidst a Larger Legal Battle
This order is part of a broader judicial struggle against Trump's immigration agenda. On July 16, a judge denied the government's attempt to reinstate the freeze on immigration proceedings, forcing USCIS to continue processing cases.
However, the Supreme Court has supported the Executive in its more controversial initiatives. On June 25, it allowed the government to end TPS for about 350,000 Haitians and over 6,000 Syrians, with a six to three vote.
A critical date looms on September 9, when the TPS designation for El Salvador expires. This affects more than 170,000 beneficiaries and approximately 150,000 U.S. children with at least one parent under that status.
"This ruling offers families a reprieve, but it doesn't answer the question that thousands of parents and children are asking: Can our family stay together? After more than two decades contributing to this country, families deserve certainty, not another chapter of uncertainty," declared José Palma, coordinator of the National TPS Alliance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judge's Ruling on Migrant Policies
What does the judge's ruling temporarily halt?
The ruling temporarily halts the revocation of work permits and the hindrance of asylum applications for thousands of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients.
Who filed the lawsuit against the immigration policies?
The lawsuit was filed by a coalition including the National TPS Alliance, the Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts, the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP), and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), represented by Democracy Forward.
How does this ruling impact Venezuelan TPS beneficiaries?
The ruling provides relief for between 5,000 and 10,000 Venezuelans who renewed their TPS before February 5, 2025, protecting them from losing their work permits.