Two civil rights organizations have sued the Trump administration on behalf of 15 Liberian immigrants over the president's decision to end a humanitarian program that allows them to live and work in the U.S.

The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and Lawyers for Civil Rights filed the suit Friday in federal court in Massachusetts.

The lawsuit challenges President Donald Trump's decision last March to end the Deferred Enforced Departure program that dates to 2007.

The program protects about 4,000 Liberian immigrants who came from the African nation to escape environmental disasters and war.

A memo signed by Trump last year says conditions in the country have improved, so the program is no longer needed.

An email seeking comment Friday was sent to the Justice Department.