Grade 2 of 5: Major Abuse of Power
First-Term TPS Terminations for Six Countries Under White House Pressure (2017–2018)
The first Trump administration tried to end temporary legal status for about 300,000 people from six countries. A court found evidence of White House pressure, rewritten staff recommendations and presidential animus, and blocked the terminations; an appeals court later lifted that block on jurisdictional grounds. The terminations were held off by litigation until the next administration changed course.