Half a Million Haitians Face Uncertainty as Trump Cancels Temporary Protected Status

Spread the love

The Trump administration has announced the cancellation of an 18-month extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 500,000 Haitians, a policy previously granted by President Joe Biden. The status, originally set to expire in February 2026, will now end on August 3.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the decision, stating, “President Trump and I are returning TPS to its original status: temporary.” The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) echoed this stance, arguing that Biden’s extension was “far longer than justified or necessary.”

TPS provides temporary protection for foreign nationals unable to safely return home due to war, natural disasters, or other crises. The number of Haitians eligible for the status has surged from 57,000 in 2011 to over 520,000 in 2024, according to government estimates.

Immigration advocates strongly condemned the decision, warning of its economic and humanitarian impact. Beatriz Lopez, Co-Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, called the move “reckless,” emphasizing that it “rips stability away from half a million Haitians who have built their lives here.”

The revocation comes as part of a broader immigration crackdown. Last month, the Trump administration also stripped TPS protections from over 600,000 Venezuelans. Trump has repeatedly expressed hardline views on immigration, previously ordering a full review of the TPS program upon returning to office.

Haiti continues to face severe instability, exacerbated by a devastating 2010 earthquake and escalating gang violence. Advocates fear that deporting thousands of Haitians back to the crisis-ridden nation could lead to further humanitarian challenges.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

×