UPDATE: A crucial hearing is underway in San Francisco as Judge Trisha Thompson weighs arguments against the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) recent decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for over 60,000 immigrants from Honduras, Nicaragua, and Nepal. Just hours ago, attorneys from the ACLU NorCal presented a case challenging the decision, which has left many facing uncertain futures.
At 2 a.m. Tuesday, nursing student Jhony Silva prepared for the pivotal court session. He fled Honduras at age 12 after Hurricane Mitch devastated his homeland in 1998. Silva’s life in the U.S. is now at risk as he, along with thousands of others, awaits the court’s ruling on TPS, which protects individuals from deportation due to unsafe conditions in their home countries.
Inside the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, the courtroom was packed with supporters, many donning TPS alliance pins and holding white roses with blue ribbons—a poignant symbol of their struggle. Judge Thompson acknowledged the weight of the case, remarking that she had been reviewing the evidence intensely. “I probably haven’t slept in three days due to the academic exercise you both gave me,” she stated.
The ACLU’s attorney, Emi MacLean, argued that the DHS failed to assess current safety conditions in Honduras and Nicaragua before terminating TPS, violating longstanding legal precedents. “They made a decision based on stale information,” MacLean emphasized. Co-counsel Jessica Bansal further asserted that the government’s public statements regarding TPS holders were racially charged and misleading, calling them “criminals” and “invaders.”
As the hearing progressed over four hours, Judge Thompson expressed skepticism towards the government’s claims of discretion, challenging their interpretations of the law. Ultimately, she denied the government’s motion to dismiss the case but stated it would take additional time to reach a final ruling.
Following the hearing, MacLean expressed optimism, stating, “We were able to present powerful evidence that the secretary’s decision to terminate TPS was illegal, predetermined, and not based on what the statute requires.”
Outside the courthouse, supporters rallied, chanting, “El pueblo unido jamás será vencido” (the people united will never be defeated). Silva shared his concerns about the emotional toll the situation is taking on his nine-year-old child, stating, “I couldn’t hide what is happening to my kid, but I think he understands more than enough because he’s been anxious.”
As music from a Los Angeles Central American band filled the air, Silva addressed the crowd, tears in his eyes. “It’s very powerful to be a part of this movement,” he said. “I have faith that the judge will rule in our favor because we all deserve better.”
As the situation develops, the implications of this case are profound, impacting the lives of thousands who seek safety and stability in the U.S. Keep following for updates on this urgent issue.
