US Judge Lifts Ban, 350,000 Haitians Lose Protected Status

Around 350,000 Haitian nationals residing in the United States are set to lose their temporary protected status (TPS), consequently forfeiting their legal right to work in the country. This development follows a U.S. federal judge's decision to lift a prior injunction, allowing the termination of the program to proceed.

The ruling by Judge Ana Reyes came after the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the government's decision to end the TPS program for Haitians on June 25. Haitian TPS holders had challenged the termination, alleging racism by the administration, but their legal efforts were unsuccessful.

These individuals had been living and working legally in the United States under the Temporary Protected Status since it was granted following the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti. The program, established by Congress in 1990, allows individuals from designated countries facing unsafe conditions to reside and work in the U.S. temporarily. Haiti was added to the list after the earthquake, and the designation was repeatedly extended due to ongoing gang violence.

Geoff Pipoly, lead attorney for the affected Haitians, expressed concern over the ruling's immediate impact. "Due to today's implementation of the Supreme Court's decision, Haitian TPS holders – all individuals without criminal records – are now unable to work legally. Many of them must also expect deportation to Haiti," he stated. The Trump administration had previously ended TPS for approximately one million people from over a dozen countries as part of its stricter immigration policies.

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Due to today's implementation of the Supreme Court's decision, Haitian TPS holders – all individuals without criminal records – are now unable to work legally. Many of them must also expect deportation to Haiti.