A U.S. federal court has confirmed that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) protections for hundreds of thousands of Haitians are no longer in effect, clearing the way for the Trump administration to move forward with ending deportation protections for eligible beneficiaries.
The ruling follows a U.S. Supreme Court decision that removed legal barriers preventing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from terminating Haiti’s TPS designation. In its latest order, the federal court acknowledged that the previous injunction blocking the administration’s action no longer applies, allowing the termination to take effect.
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TPS is a humanitarian immigration program that allows nationals of designated countries experiencing armed conflict, natural disasters or other extraordinary conditions to live and work legally in the United States on a temporary basis. Haiti first received TPS following the devastating 2010 earthquake, with protections later extended because of ongoing political instability, natural disasters and escalating gang violence.
The decision affects an estimated 330,000 to 350,000 Haitians who have been living and working in the United States under the program. With the protections now ended, many could face deportation unless they qualify for another lawful immigration status or obtain other legal relief.
Immigrant advocacy organizations expressed disappointment with the ruling, arguing that Haiti remains gripped by severe insecurity, widespread gang violence and a humanitarian crisis that make large-scale returns unsafe. They have urged the administration and Congress to pursue alternative legal protections for affected Haitians.
The Trump administration, however, has defended the decision, saying TPS was always intended to be a temporary measure and that restoring the integrity of the immigration system requires ending protections when the statutory requirements are no longer met. Officials have maintained that the termination is consistent with federal immigration law and recent court rulings.
The ruling comes as Haiti continues to struggle with escalating violence, political instability and a worsening humanitarian situation. International organizations, including the United Nations, have repeatedly warned that armed gangs control large parts of the country, leaving millions in need of humanitarian assistance.
Although litigation over other constitutional claims related to the termination may continue, the court’s latest decision means TPS protections for Haitians are no longer in force, marking a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy and creating uncertainty for hundreds of thousands of Haitian nationals living in the United States.
