San Francisco, California - A federal judge on Friday ruled that the Trump administration's bid to strip Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuela and Haiti is unlawful, delivering a big win for immigrants' rights advocates.

"For 35 years, the TPS statute has been faithfully executed by presidential administrations from both parties, affording relief based on the best available information obtained by the Department of Homeland Security ('DHS') in consultation with the State Department and other agencies, a process that involves careful study and analysis. Until now," US District Court Judge Edward M. Chen wrote in a 69-page decision.

"This case arose from action taken post haste by the current DHS Secretary, Kristi Noem, to revoke the legal status of Venezuelen and Haitian TPS holders, sending them back to conditions that are so dangerous that even the State Department advises against travel to their home countries."

The NTPSA v. Noem ruling delivered a victory to TPS holders who filed a lawsuit in February challenging the Trump administration's attempted termination of protections for Venezuelans. They accused Noem of illegally revoking an 18-month extension of TPS granted in January by the outgoing Biden administration.

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The lawsuit was amended in March to include Haitians after Noem announced a similar TPS termination.

TPS is a temporary legal status granted to nationals of designated countries who cannot safely return due to war, natural disasters, or other "extraordinary" conditions.

In order to benefit from the extension, Venezuelan TPS holders who have not already re-registered must do so before September 10, 2025, advocates have said.

TPS holders and immigrants' rights advocates celebrated Chen's Friday decision.

"Today’s ruling is a huge win – not just for the rule of law but also for hundreds of thousands of hard-working people who have suffered a lot of harm due to this administration’s illegal attempts to revoke humanitarian protection for Venezuelans," said Cecilia Gonzalez, a Venezuelan TPS holder from Florida.

"Members of our community have lost jobs, been detained and deported, and been separated from their families. I am relieved that this ruling will restore TPS protections, and hope that those protections remain in place under this righteous order," Gonzalez continued.

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"This is a clear example that, at the end of the day, justice always prevails."

A plaintiff in the case known as G.S. also hailed the decision, saying, "I am happy and relieved that the Court has said that the government cannot take away the protections that were in place for Haitian and Venezuelan TPS holders."

"I was working as a physician in Haiti, but I had to leave because it was so dangerous there. TPS is an important program that allows people like me to contribute to this country while living in safety. It should not end."