A federal appeals court ruled Monday that the Trump administration can revoke deportation protections for 60,000 migrants from Nicaragua, Nepal and Honduras. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a California judge's August ruling that had blocked plans to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for these groups.

The three-judge panel found the administration could provide "legitimate" reasoning for ending protections, citing Administrative Procedure Act standards. The decision impacts approximately 50,000 Hondurans, 7,000 Nepalis and 3,000 Nicaraguans who entered under TPS to flee war, natural disasters and other conditions. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called the ruling a "win for the rule of law" and vindication for the Constitution.

Noem argued TPS was "abused" under the previous administration to allow "violent terrorists, criminals, and national security threats" into the country. She claimed the program was never designed to be permanent and had been used as a "de facto amnesty program" for decades. The administration maintains that improved conditions in these countries justify ending the temporary designation.