A federal judge sharply criticized the Trump administration on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, for what she described as "shameful cruelty" in its attempt to expedite the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for hundreds of Somali migrants.

Judge Allison Burroughs, an Obama appointee presiding in Massachusetts, refused to accelerate the case despite requests from the administration. The TPS designation for Somalia has allowed over 700 migrants, many potentially undocumented otherwise, to remain in the U.S. while Somalia continues to experience instability.

Previously, Judge Burroughs had blocked the termination of TPS and paused the case pending the Supreme Court's review of similar efforts to end TPS for Haiti and Syria. In late June 2026, the Supreme Court ruled that courts should generally avoid interfering with TPS decisions unless significant constitutional issues arise. The justices also found no disqualifying racist motives in the administration’s decision to end TPS.

Following the Supreme Court ruling, the Trump administration sought swift action to end Somalia’s TPS. However, Judge Burroughs stated she would take additional time before ruling on whether to permit the cancellation. She noted that the plaintiffs challenging the Somalia TPS termination raised issues beyond those addressed by the Supreme Court.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) indicated it did not want a "wind down period" to gradually phase out the status.

Sources