Strengthening Temporary Protected Status Through Executive Action

Authors

Emily M. Brown, The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law

First Page

1239

Document Type

Article

Abstract

The Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program protects migrants from deportation when their native countries have been struck by armed conflict, environmental disaster, or other extraordinary upheaval. Enacted by Congress in 1990, the program largely escaped attention and controversy for many years as presidential administrations of both parties designated, extended, and terminated TPS designations at similar rates. However, beginning in 2017, then-President Trump tried to end TPS protections for 300,000 beneficiaries—more than 95% of the total. His efforts were blocked in federal district courts, and President Biden has since rescinded the terminations and issued many new designations, expanding the program to its largest size ever and protecting hundreds of thousands of vulnerable migrants. Nonetheless, the future of TPS is more uncertain than ever now that it has become as politically polarizing as many other aspects of the national immigration debate.

Recommended Citation

Emily M. Brown, Strengthening Temporary Protected Status Through Executive Action, 72 Buff. L. Rev. 1239 (2024).
Available at: https://digitalcommons.law.buffalo.edu/buffalolawreview/vol72/iss4/3