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Appeals Court Allows Trump to End Deportation Protections for Migrants from Nepal, Honduras, and Nicaragua
Ruling overturns lower court decision, clearing way for termination of Temporary Protected Status for nearly 90,000 migrants
Published on Feb. 10, 2026
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In a major legal victory for the Trump administration, a federal appeals court ruled that the Department of Homeland Security can terminate deportation protections for nearly 90,000 migrants from Nepal, Honduras, and Nicaragua who were granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in the U.S. The three-judge panel unanimously agreed that the lower court erred in blocking the administration from ending TPS for migrants from these three nations.
Why it matters
This ruling represents a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy, as the TPS program has provided humanitarian relief and temporary legal status to migrants from disaster-plagued regions since the 1990s. The termination of TPS for these groups could force tens of thousands of migrants to return to their home countries, which continue to face challenges from natural disasters and political instability.
The details
The appeals court determined that the government is 'likely to prevail' in arguing that the Department of Homeland Security's decision to terminate TPS was not 'arbitrary and capricious.' The court said the administration can likely show the record supports the decision and that the TPS statute does not require considering intervening country conditions after the initial TPS designation.
- The 9th U.S. Court of Appeals issued its ruling on Monday, February 10, 2026.
- Hondurans and Nicaraguans were granted TPS in the U.S. in 1998 in response to Hurricane Mitch.
- Nepal joined the TPS program in June 2015 after a major earthquake struck the country.
The players
Kristi Noem
The current Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, who celebrated the appeals court ruling as 'a win for the rule of law and vindication for the U.S. Constitution.'
Trina Thompson
The District Judge in San Francisco who had previously blocked the Trump administration from ending TPS for migrants from Nepal, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
What they’re saying
“Under the previous administration, Temporary Protected Status was abused to allow violent terrorists, criminals, and national security threats into our nation. TPS was never designed to be permanent, yet previous administrations have used it as a de facto amnesty program for decades.”
— Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security (X)
What’s next
The judge in the case will now decide whether to allow the Trump administration to proceed with terminating TPS protections for the affected migrants.
The takeaway
This ruling represents a major victory for the Trump administration's efforts to restrict immigration and end what it views as the misuse of temporary humanitarian programs like TPS. It could force tens of thousands of migrants to return to their home countries, raising concerns about the humanitarian impact.
