A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from revoking work permits for thousands of asylum seekers and immigrants with Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
US District Judge Nathaniel Gorton issued the order on Tuesday in Boston. Meanwhile, the ruling will remain in effect until he decides whether to extend the pause beyond August 5.
Court Halts Immigration Policy
Judge Gorton sided with a coalition of immigrant rights groups and labour unions. They challenged policies introduced by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) under immigration restrictions passed by Congress last year.
The lawsuit argued that USCIS unlawfully implemented the new measures. Furthermore, the plaintiffs claimed the agency adopted the policies without the required public consultation.
The disputed rules would have affected thousands of TPS holders from El Salvador, Sudan, and Ukraine. Consequently, many faced losing their legal authorization to work starting this week.
The judge declined to block a new asylum application fee. However, he ruled that USCIS cannot revoke work permits or impose penalties on applicants who fail to pay the fee while the case proceeds.
Groups Welcome Temporary Relief
The immigration restrictions stem from President Donald Trump’s tax and spending law passed in July 2025. The legislation introduced asylum application fees and limited employment authorization for certain TPS holders.
TPS allows migrants from countries affected by war, natural disasters, or other crises to live and work in the United States temporarily. However, the Trump administration has sought to end the protection for migrants from several countries.
Democracy Forward, which represents the plaintiffs, welcomed the ruling. Chief Executive Officer Skye Perryman said the decision protects thousands of families from losing their livelihoods while the legal challenge continues.
The court is expected to decide by August 5 whether to extend the temporary injunction.
