Trump administration asks justices to allow it to remove protected status from Syrian nationals

SCOTUSblog

by Amy Howe

February 26, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The Trump administration has sought emergency intervention from the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a federal judge’s ruling that blocked the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Syrian nationals in the United States. The TPS program, established in 1990, allows individuals from countries facing extraordinary and temporary conditions, such as natural disasters or armed conflict, to live and work in the U.S. Syria was designated under the program in 2012 due to the ongoing civil war and humanitarian crisis. However, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced plans to terminate Syria’s TPS designation in September 2025, citing improved conditions and a shift toward stable governance in the country. Syrian nationals challenged this decision in federal court, arguing that it violated legal requirements for administrative agency decisions and was motivated by discriminatory intent. U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla ruled in their favor, indefinitely delaying the termination of Syria’s TPS designation. The government appealed this ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit, which declined to grant a stay, reasoning that the case presented unique circumstances not seen in similar TPS cases involving other countries. The Trump administration argued that courts lack jurisdiction to review Noem’s decision to terminate TPS designations, even if procedural or constitutional issues were raised. The administration also contended that the appellate court’s decision was based on flawed reasoning and urged the Supreme Court to intervene, calling the case “an even easier question” than previous TPS-related cases where the Court had granted stays. This legal battle highlights a broader debate over the balance between national security interests and humanitarian obligations toward vulnerable populations. The outcome could set a precedent for how courts review administrative decisions regarding TPS designations

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Originally published on SCOTUSblog on 2/26/2026