Judge Blocks Trump Plan to End Somali Protections

Temporary order prevents deportation of nearly 1,100 Somali immigrants next week

Mar. 13, 2026 at 8:05pm

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A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from ending legal protections that have allowed nearly 1,100 Somali immigrants to live and work in the United States. The ruling comes just days before the planned termination of the protections, which have been in place for years.

Why it matters

The case highlights the ongoing legal and political battles over immigration policies under the Trump administration, which has sought to limit refugee resettlement and end temporary protected status for immigrants from certain countries.

The details

The judge's temporary restraining order prevents the administration from deporting the Somali immigrants next week as originally planned. The protections, known as Temporary Protected Status (TPS), were granted to Somalis living in the U.S. due to the ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary conditions in Somalia.

  • The judge issued the temporary restraining order on Friday, March 13, 2026.
  • The Trump administration had planned to end the Somali TPS protections next week.

The players

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States who sought to end the Temporary Protected Status for Somali immigrants.

Somali immigrants

Nearly 1,100 Somali immigrants living in the U.S. who were granted Temporary Protected Status due to the ongoing conflict in their home country.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge will hold a hearing to determine whether to extend the temporary restraining order and keep the Somali TPS protections in place.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing legal battles over the Trump administration's efforts to limit immigration and end temporary protections for certain immigrant groups, even as the fate of thousands of individuals hangs in the balance.