A federal judge in Boston, Massachusetts, blocked the Trump administration's effort to end temporary deportation protections for South Sudanese citizens residing in the United States. US District Judge Angel Kelley granted an emergency request on Tuesday in response to a lawsuit filed by South Sudanese nationals and the immigrant rights group African Communities Together.

The order prevents the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for South Sudanese citizens, which was scheduled to expire on January 5, as sought by the Trump administration. The lawsuit alleges that ending TPS for this population would cause significant hardship and potential danger for those forced to return to South Sudan.

TPS is a program that allows individuals from designated countries facing ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions to live and work in the United States. South Sudan was initially designated for TPS in 2011, the year it gained independence from Sudan, due to the ongoing violence and instability in the newly formed nation.

South Sudan's independence followed decades of civil war with Sudan, leaving the country with a fragile infrastructure and persistent ethnic tensions. Despite its oil wealth, South Sudan has struggled with poverty, corruption, and renewed outbreaks of conflict, leading to widespread displacement and humanitarian crises. International organizations, including the United Nations, have repeatedly warned about the dire conditions in South Sudan and the risks faced by returning refugees and internally displaced persons.

The Trump administration's move to end TPS for South Sudanese citizens aligns with its broader efforts to restrict immigration and reduce the number of protected immigrants in the United States. Similar attempts to terminate TPS for other countries, including Haiti, El Salvador, and Honduras, have also faced legal challenges. Critics argue that these decisions are based on political considerations rather than objective assessments of conditions in the designated countries.

African Communities Together, the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit, argued that the decision to terminate TPS for South Sudanese citizens was arbitrary and capricious, failing to adequately consider the ongoing risks they would face upon return. The organization also contended that the decision was motivated by discriminatory animus, violating the equal protection principles of the Constitution.

The Justice Department has not yet issued a formal statement regarding the judge's order. The case is expected to proceed with further legal arguments and evidence presented by both sides. The future of TPS for South Sudanese citizens in the United States remains uncertain, pending the outcome of the litigation.