A federal judge on Monday once again moved to block a key immigration decision by the Trump administration, preventing the Department of Homeland Security from ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for hundreds of thousands of Haitian nationals currently living in the United States.
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes issued an emergency stay halting Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s order just one day before the policy was set to take effect. The decision pauses the termination of TPS while a lawsuit filed by five Haitian TPS recipients proceeds through the courts.
The ruling adds to a growing list of cases in which federal judges have delayed or blocked Trump administration policies, particularly those related to immigration enforcement. Reyes, an appointee of former President Joe Biden, wrote in a detailed opinion that the plaintiffs are likely to prevail, questioning both the process and reasoning behind the administration’s decision.
The Trump administration has argued that TPS for Haitians was never meant to be permanent. The designation was first granted following a catastrophic earthquake more than 15 years ago, and officials say repeated extensions by prior administrations effectively turned a temporary humanitarian measure into a long-term immigration status without congressional approval.
Secretary Noem announced late last year that TPS for Haitians would expire in 2026, signaling a return to the original intent of the program. While the administration initially set an earlier termination date, the timeline shifted after the lawsuit was filed in federal court.
In her ruling, Judge Reyes claimed the Department of Homeland Security did not sufficiently consult other federal agencies, as required under the Immigration Act of 1990. She also cited recent U.S. State Department travel advisories warning Americans to avoid Haiti due to violent crime, kidnappings, civil unrest, and limited access to healthcare.
Those advisories, she wrote, contradict the administration’s position that returning Haitian migrants would face minimal risk.
The Department of Homeland Security strongly disagreed with the ruling. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the administration is prepared to appeal the case and, if necessary, take it to the Supreme Court.
McLaughlin emphasized that TPS was never designed to function as a permanent immigration program. She noted that while the original designation followed a natural disaster, conditions on the ground have been reassessed multiple times, and responsibility for long-term immigration policy ultimately lies with Congress—not the courts.
“Temporary means temporary,” McLaughlin said, criticizing what she described as activist judges stepping beyond their constitutional role.
According to government data, more than 330,000 Haitian nationals currently hold TPS, while nearly 1.3 million migrants from 17 different countries are covered under the program nationwide—making it one of the largest and longest-running temporary immigration programs in U.S. history.
Judge Reyes also referenced the professional backgrounds of the five plaintiffs, which include healthcare workers, researchers, and technology professionals. She used those examples to push back against rhetoric used in past immigration debates, while sharply criticizing Secretary Noem’s public statements.
Supporters of President Donald Trump argue the ruling reflects a broader trend in which unelected judges repeatedly interfere with voter-mandated immigration reforms. As the legal battle continues, the case is expected to become another major flashpoint in the national debate over border security, executive authority, and the limits of judicial power.
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