The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today welcomed an emergency order by a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts temporarily pausing the termination of Somalia’s Temporary Protected Status (TPS), thereby preserving critical protections for thousands of Somali nationals across the United States, including many in Minnesota.
The termination had been scheduled to take effect today. The court’s order ensures that Somali TPS holders will continue to retain their legal protections while the case proceeds.
As a result of the ruling, individuals with TPS based on Somalia’s designation will continue to maintain all associated rights and protections, including work authorization and protection from deportation and detention. Individuals with pending TPS applications will also retain eligibility for work authorization and protection from deportation while their cases are adjudicated.
This temporary pause will remain in effect pending further court action.
“This decision brings a critical moment of relief for Somali families across Minnesota and the country who have been living under the weight of uncertainty,” said Jaylani Hussein, executive director of CAIR-MN. “TPS is not just a policy. It is a lifeline that allows families to live, work, and contribute to their communities with dignity and stability.”
“Somali families should not have to rely on last-minute court orders to remain safe in the only home many of them have known for decades,” said Suleiman Adan, deputy executive director of CAIR-MN. “This decision underscores the urgency of the legal challenge and the real harm that would have followed an abrupt termination. We are also seeing a broader pattern of policies and rhetoric that destabilize immigrant communities and disproportionately impact African and Muslim populations. That must be named and addressed.”
In Minnesota, home to one of the largest Somali populations in the United States, this decision carries immediate and significant impact. Thousands of Somali residents with TPS are workers, parents, and community members whose lives and livelihoods were at risk of disruption, including the threat of job loss, family separation, and deportation to unsafe conditions.
The lawsuit challenging the termination was brought by African Communities Together (ACT), the Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans (PANA), and four Somali community members. They are represented by Muslim Advocates, Haitian Bridge Alliance, and the Legal Defense Fund, with support from Communities United for Status and Protection (CUSP).
CONTEXT
Temporary Protected Status is a humanitarian protection established by Congress to prevent deportations to countries experiencing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary conditions.
For Somali TPS holders, many of whom have lived in the United States for years or decades, this protection has allowed them to build families, careers, and communities while remaining safe from forced return to dangerous and unstable conditions.
CALL TO ACTION
CAIR-MN calls on the Department of Homeland Security and federal leaders to permanently redesignate TPS for Somalia and provide long-term stability for Somali families who continue to face uncertainty. We also urge community members to stay connected to trusted legal service providers and advocacy organizations for updates and guidance as this case moves forward.
CAIR-Minnesota is a chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACTS:
Suleiman Adan
Deputy Executive Director
Council on American-Islamic Relations – Minnesota (CAIR-MN)
sadan@cair.com
612-408-7183
Jaylani Hussein
Executive Director
Council on American-Islamic Relations – Minnesota (CAIR-MN)
(612) 406-0070