The federal government on Feb. 20 said it is ending protection against deportation for some 500,000 Haitians early.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem partially rescinded an extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals that had been approved during the previous administration, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a statement.
Under TPS, the homeland security secretary can protect nationals of certain countries from deportation if the secretary determines there are “extraordinary and temporary conditions” in the countries that prevent the immigrants from returning to their homes safely. The protection is typically extended multiple times once granted.
In June 2024, then-Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas extended TPS for Haitians for 18 months, to Feb. 3, 2026, citing ongoing violence in Haiti as well as difficulties residents face in accessing food, water and health care....
