Appeals Court Backs Noem on Ending TPS for Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua

In a surprising but welcome decision, the notoriously liberal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals just handed a major legal win to President Trump and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, upholding the administration’s authority to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for immigrants from Nepal, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

The ruling blocks a San Francisco district court’s attempt to derail Noem’s plan and signals that the court believes the administration is likely to prevail on the merits. The panel determined that the decision to end TPS was not arbitrary or capricious, undercutting one of the left’s most common legal arguments against immigration enforcement.

“The government is likely to prevail in its argument that the Secretary’s decision-making process… was not arbitrary and capricious,” the ruling stated.

TPS was never meant to be a backdoor to permanent residency. It was created to provide short-term refuge for immigrants from countries impacted by war, natural disaster, or other temporary crises. But like everything else in the hands of Democrats, “temporary” somehow morphed into decades-long open-ended protection and the American people were left paying the price.

Here's a quick breakdown:

• Nepal was designated in 2015 after a devastating earthquake.

• Honduras and Nicaragua received TPS following Hurricane Mitch in 1999.

• Some recipients have remained in the U.S. for over 25 years under a status designed to be short-lived.

In 2025, Secretary Noem moved to end these outdated protections, arguing rightly that the original justifications no longer applied and that the law requires periodic reevaluation. Her team made the case that TPS is not meant to be a permanent solution for foreign nationals once their home countries have stabilized.

Despite predictable pushback from left-wing groups like the National TPS Alliance, the court agreed with the administration’s position.

Attorney General Pam Bondi praised the outcome “This is a crucial legal win… that helps clear the way for President Trump’s continued deportations.”

It’s more than just a court case. It’s a pivotal battle in the broader war to restore common sense and rule of law to America’s immigration system.

TPS has been abused for far too long used as a placeholder for amnesty, while politicians refuse to act. Meanwhile, millions of legal immigrants wait in line, follow the rules, and respect our laws. They are the ones truly undermined by blanket protections handed out without end.

Let’s not forget: This ruling came from a panel that includes a Clinton appointee. Even Judge Michael Hawkins, though hesitant to take a firm position, concurred with the result based on recent Supreme Court precedent.

The left may scream that this is cruel, but what’s truly unfair is exploiting a legal workaround to avoid real immigration reform and doing it under the guise of “compassion” while turning a blind eye to national sovereignty.

Noem’s move was lawful, measured, and overdue. The court got it right.

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