7,000 Nepalese Face Uncertain Future As Court Has Ruled In Favor of Trump Administration

San Francisco, August 21, 2025 – In a landmark decision that has sent shockwaves through immigrant communities, the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of the Trump administration, paving the way for the immediate termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for thousands of Nepali immigrants living in the United States. This ruling overturns a lower court’s injunction and could lead to deportation proceedings for long-term residents who have built lives in America over the past decade.

The decision affects approximately 7,000 Nepali TPS holders whose protections expired on August 5, 2025, along with tens of thousands from Honduras and Nicaragua, bringing the total impacted to around 60,000 individuals. Immigrant rights groups have decried the move as a devastating blow to families and communities, while the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) hails it as a victory in enforcing stricter immigration policies.

Background on the Ninth Circuit TPS Ruling

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco issued its ruling on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, staying a district court’s order that had postponed the termination of TPS. The lower court, presided over by Judge Trina L. Thompson, had previously ruled that the Trump administration failed to adequately review conditions in the affected countries before deciding to end the program, ordering its continuation.

However, the appeals court panel sided with the administration, allowing the terminations to proceed. TPS for Nepal was originally set to end on August 5, 2025, with Honduras and Nicaragua following in early September. The ruling effectively greenlights the DHS to initiate removal processes, though advocates indicate an appeal to the US Supreme Court is likely.

This case stems from the Trump administration’s broader efforts to overhaul US immigration policies, including curtailing programs perceived as overly permissive. The administration argued that conditions in Nepal, Honduras, and Nicaragua have improved sufficiently since the initial TPS designations, rendering the protections unnecessary.

What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Why Was It Granted to Nepalis?

Temporary Protected Status is a humanitarian program administered by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It provides temporary legal status and work authorization to nationals of designated countries facing ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary conditions that make safe return impossible.

For Nepal, TPS was first designated in 2015 following a catastrophic 7.8-magnitude earthquake that killed nearly 9,000 people, injured over 22,000, and displaced millions. The disaster triggered a humanitarian crisis, prompting the US to offer protections to Nepali nationals already in the country at the time. Since then, TPS has been extended multiple times under both Republican and Democratic administrations, allowing beneficiaries to live and work legally in the US.

Critics of the termination, including the National TPS Alliance, argue that the program has been weaponized for political gain. They claim the decision is racially motivated and ignores ongoing challenges in Nepal, such as political instability, economic hardship, and vulnerability to natural disasters.

Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary at DHS, defended the ruling in a statement: “DHS scores major victory in the legal battle over unvetted immigration. TPS was being turned into a decades-long refugee system, but it was not intended for that purpose.”

Impact on Nepali Immigrants in the US: Families, Jobs, and Communities at Risk

The termination of TPS for Nepal could have profound and far-reaching consequences for the estimated 7,000 affected individuals, many of whom have resided in the US for over a decade. These immigrants have integrated deeply into American society, establishing families, buying homes, starting businesses, and contributing to the economy.

• Family Separation and Emotional Toll: Many TPS holders have US-born children who are American citizens. Deportation could force painful family separations, with parents returning to Nepal while leaving children behind. Rights activists highlight stories of TPS beneficiaries who have raised families, sent children to US schools, and built stable lives.
• Economic Contributions and Job Losses: Nepali TPS holders often work in essential sectors like healthcare, construction, hospitality, and technology. Their sudden loss of work authorization could lead to unemployment, reduced tax revenues, and disruptions in local economies. Studies show that TPS recipients contribute billions to the US GDP annually.
• Community Ripple Effects: In states like California, New York, and Texas—home to large Nepali diaspora communities—the ruling has sparked widespread anxiety. Community organizations report increased calls for legal aid and mental health support as families grapple with uncertainty.

One Nepali TPS holder, speaking anonymously to immigrant advocacy groups, shared: “We’ve called America home for years, paid taxes, and followed the rules. Now, everything we’ve built is at risk.”

Ongoing Legal Battle and Potential Supreme Court Appeal

The fight is far from over. The National TPS Alliance, which led the challenge, has vowed to appeal the Ninth Circuit’s decision to the US Supreme Court. In the interim, a brief stay was issued by a district court on July 31, 2025, postponing terminations until November 18, 2025, but the appeals court has now lifted that.

Legal experts note that similar TPS terminations for other countries have faced prolonged court battles, with extensions granted amid litigation. For Nepal, the termination was announced on June 6, 2025, with a 60-day transition period. Affected individuals are advised to consult immigration attorneys to explore alternatives like asylum or adjustment of status.

Broader Implications for US Immigration Policy

This ruling aligns with the Trump administration’s hardline stance on immigration, emphasizing enforcement over humanitarian relief. It could set a precedent for other TPS-designated countries, including Venezuela, Ukraine, and Afghanistan, affecting hundreds of thousands more.

Immigrant rights advocates, including the ACLU of Southern California, warn that terminating TPS ignores the human cost and exacerbates global migration challenges. “This decision upends the lives of 60,000 long-term residents who have contributed immensely to our society,” said an ACLU spokesperson.

As the Nepali community in the US braces for what comes next, the ruling underscores the precarious nature of temporary protections in an increasingly polarized immigration landscape. For updates on TPS termination for Nepal in 2025 and related US immigration news, stay tuned to reliable sources.round 7,000 Nepalis in the US whose TPS expired on August 5. With the latest court order, the Republican administration can now initiate the process to remove them from the country.

The US granted TPS to Nepalis following the humanitarian crisis triggered by the devastating earthquake in Nepal in 2015. Under this facility, they were legally allowed to work and reside in the US.

According to rights activists, Nepalis with TPS have been living in the US for over a decade, where they have established families, raised children, and contributed to American society.

What is TPS and Why Was It Revoked?

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a facility provided by the US Department of Homeland Security.

It is granted to citizens of countries where returning home is unsafe due to natural disasters, armed conflicts, or other severe crises.

However, the Trump administration has argued that TPS was being misused as part of its stricter immigration policies. The administration claims that conditions in countries like Nepal have improved, eliminating the need for such protection.

Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, stated, “TPS was being turned into a decades-long refugee system, but it was not intended for that purpose.”

Ongoing Legal Battle

The National TPS Alliance, leading the case, has accused the Trump administration’s decision of being illegal and racially motivated. They claim the administration revoked TPS for political reasons without an objective review of the actual conditions in the affected countries.

Lower court Judge Trina L. Thompson had ruled that the administration made the decision without adequately reviewing the countries’ situations and ordered the continuation of TPS protection. However, the appeals court upheld the administration’s arguments. Lawyers supporting TPS have indicated they may take the case to the US Supreme Court.

This ruling has sparked concern within the Nepali community in the US. Those who have made America their home for years are now facing deep uncertainty about their future and their families’ security.