- The Trump administration is extending its immigration crackdown to include hundreds of thousands of Haitians. They have been here in the United States, living and working under what is called Temporary Protected Status.
- The Biden administration granted them TPS, which was to last into 2026, but the new administration is canceling the designation, effective August.
- A court battle is likely over this directive as Haitians fight to stay in the U.S. instead of going back to Haiti, where there is political unrest.
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President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown is now extending to Haitians who are in the United States. The Department of Homeland Security ended deportation protection and work permits for about 500,000 Haitians on Thursday, Feb. 20.
What is Temporary Protected Status?
The natives of Haiti either crossed into the U.S. illegally or were given Temporary Protected Status by the Biden administration. TPS stipulates that migrants, who are unable to return to their country due to unrest or a natural disaster, can remain in the United States without fear of deportation.
The status is meant to be used when certain countries are in crisis, such as an ongoing war or other instability that would make it dangerous to deport people there.
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Former Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas extended TPS protection to Haitians through February 2026. However, Thursday’s directive from new Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem would end that status in August.
What is the new administration saying about TPS?
U.S. law allows for Temporary Protected Status to be extended 18 months at a time, maximum. The Homeland Security memo said that former President Joe Biden and Mayorkas attempted to tie the hands of the incoming Trump administration by extending TPS to the Haitians for a longer period than necessary.
The Biden administration renewed TPS for Haitians after civil unrest in 2021 that included the assassination of the Haitian president.
Are other migrants subject to such a move?
In January 2025, the new administration suspended deportation protection for about 600,000 Venezuelans who are in the United States. Lawsuits have already been filed challenging that move. Similar legal challenges are likely when it comes to Haitians.
