A federal judge halted the termination of protections for around 350,000 Haitians living in the U.S., dealing a legal blow to President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes in Washington granted a request to delay the end of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians pending a lawsuit. The termination, scheduled for Tuesday, has been deemed null and void by the judge.
Judge Reyes suggested that the plaintiffs had a strong case and criticized Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for potentially biasing her decision to terminate TPS for racial reasons. While the ruling provides temporary relief to Haitians, the next legal steps remain uncertain.
The Department of Homeland Security criticized the ruling as “lawless activism,” emphasizing that Haiti’s TPS was initially granted after an earthquake over 15 years ago and was not intended as an amnesty program. The TPS status allows individuals to live and work in the U.S. temporarily but does not offer a pathway to citizenship.
The judge highlighted the Secretary’s obligation to consider conditions in Haiti and consult with relevant agencies before making termination decisions. The court pointed out inconsistencies in the government’s claims about Haitian TPS holders being security threats.
The ruling also scrutinized Noem’s statements and actions, including her failure to consult with key officials before terminating protections. The judge emphasized that the Haitians affected were professionals and students, not criminals as portrayed by some officials.
The decision was welcomed by faith leaders and supporters in Ohio, who had gathered in solidarity with Haitian migrants facing uncertainty. The Trump administration’s efforts to end temporary protections for various nationalities have faced legal challenges amid concerns about mass deportations.