'Ethnic cleansing': Supreme Court TPS ruling alarms Bay Area immigration advocates

FREMONT, Calif. (KGO) -- Thursday's Supreme Court decision ending Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians is raising concerns among immigration advocates in the Bay Area, who say the ruling could set a broader precedent affecting other immigrant communities.

Immigration attorney Spojmie Nasiri called the decision a significant blow to those relying on temporary protections.

"The decision yesterday by the Supreme Court on Mullins vs Doe, with a 6-3 decision, was catastrophic for the immigrant community," Nasiri said.

Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, allows individuals from countries experiencing war or environmental disaster to live and work legally in the United States. Advocates say the ruling clears the way for potential deportations of those affected and could influence future policy decisions.

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"There are over 1.3 million immigrants who rely on TPS from 17 other countries," Nasiri said.

Nasiri, who has worked extensively with Afghan immigrants and says the community is fearful.

Last year in April, the Department of Homeland Security sent some Afghan parolees letters advising them to leave.

It stated: "It is time for you to leave. Don't attempt to remain in the United States. The federal government will find you. Please depart the United States immediately."

RELATED: 'It is time for you to leave the United States': Thousands of Bay Area Afghans get letter from DHS

In July, TPS for Afghans was terminated. Then in November, the U.S. government announced it would stop processing immigration requests from Afghanistan. Later that month, ICE conducted door knocks in a predominantly Afghan neighborhood in Fremont.

Though deportation isn't imminent, Nasiri pointed to additional federal actions that have further limited legal pathways for certain immigrant groups, including the travel ban and a halt to all asylum applications. Advocates say the decision leaves many individuals uncertain about their legal options. Noting that those deported most likely will not be sent back to their country of origin because of the initial threat that brought to them to the U.S.

"When TPS is taken away, that means the ability to legally work in the United States is halted. In addition, drivers' licenses are halted, which then has severe economic consequences for individuals relying on that," Nasiri said.

Kim Geron, professor emeritus of Political Science at Cal State East Bay, says the Supreme Court decision is not a surprise, but still unprecedented.

MORE: Bay Area Afghan refugees legally residing in US fear deportation under Trump administration

"The only asylum seekers that are being allowed into this country as of 2026 are white South Africans. Everybody else has been denied," Geron said. "This is definitely about mass deportation. I think it is also about ethnic cleansing, or creating a new America with primarily white immigrants, white asylum seekers."

Geron said the potential impact on the broader immigration system is significant. TPS was created by the Bush administration in the 1990s and has long provided temporary protection to individuals from countries facing crises. Most TPS holders in California come from El Salvador, Haiti and Honduras.

Geron said the Supreme Court decision could influence how lower courts handle similar cases in the future.

"I think they are going to be appealed by the Trump administration. And all those cases are going to have to be relooked at again," Geron said. "Some of them may find their way back up to the Supreme Court. Many may just go along with this ruling and say it also applies to them."

Advocates warn the decision could have ripple effects beyond the immediate groups affected, as legal challenges and policy changes continue to shape immigration protections across the country.