A federal judge on Monday night halted the termination of protections that have allowed approximately 350,000 Haitians to reside in the United States, dealing another legal blow to President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, albeit temporarily. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes in Washington granted a request to delay the end of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians while a lawsuit challenging it moves forward. The termination, scheduled for Tuesday, was deemed “null, void, and of no legal effect,” according to her ruling.
Judge Reyes, an appointee of former President Joe Biden, expressed in an 83-page opinion that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed in the case and indicated that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem may have made the termination decision with biased motivations. While the ruling offers temporary relief to Haitians, the future legal proceedings remain uncertain.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) criticized the ruling as “lawless activism,” emphasizing that Haiti’s TPS was initially granted after a past earthquake and was not intended as a long-term amnesty program. The judge highlighted that Secretary Noem, despite having considerable policy discretion, was obligated to consult with other agencies regarding conditions in Haiti.
Temporary Protected Status is granted by the homeland security secretary when conditions in individuals’ home countries are deemed unsafe for return due to various factors. Haiti’s TPS status, activated in 2010 after a devastating earthquake, has since been extended multiple times due to ongoing gang violence and political instability in the country.
The court also scrutinized Noem’s statements and actions, including her failure to consult with pertinent officials and her controversial remarks following the announcement of the end of Haitian protections. The judge emphasized that the Haitian TPS holders are not criminals but individuals with diverse professional backgrounds.
In Springfield, Ohio, where a significant Haitian community resides, faith leaders and supporters gathered to express solidarity with Haitian migrants facing uncertainty over their protected status. The Trump administration’s efforts to end temporary protections for various groups, including Haitians, Venezuelans, and others, have faced legal challenges amid broader deportation initiatives.
