A U.S. federal judge has ruled against the Biden administration’s efforts to revoke temporary protection status for over one million Haitian and Venezuelan migrants, defying a Supreme Court decision that had previously allowed such action. San Francisco District Judge Edward Chen, appointed by Barack Obama, issued an order halting the removal of 1.1 million individuals under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program.

The Department of Homeland Security, led by Kristi Noem, sought to terminate the protections for Venezuelans and extend them for Haitians, a move criticized as unjustified. The TPS program, established in 1991, grants temporary legal status to migrants from countries facing natural disasters or conflicts. Under Biden, it was expanded to cover 600,000 Venezuelans and 521,000 Haitians. Noem reversed these extensions in February, citing a lack of justification.

Chen’s ruling argued that the administration’s abrupt decision violated legal standards, stating the actions “were not only unprecedented in manner and speed but also violate the law.” The judge referenced a May Supreme Court order that permitted the Trump administration to end TPS protections for Venezuelans, though he clarified this decision pertained to preliminary relief.

The Justice Department has indicated it will appeal the ruling, with the DHS condemning the decision as an obstruction of efforts to “prioritize the safety of Americans.” The agency accused the TPS program of being abused as a “de facto amnesty” and criticized the Biden administration for admitting unvetted migrants.

The case is expected to return to the Supreme Court, where it may be overturned. Critics have condemned the judiciary’s repeated challenges to executive actions, particularly those involving immigration policies.