US judge clears end of deportation protection for 350,000 Haitians

The Story in Brief

A US federal judge has cleared the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status for about 350,000 Haitians, removing their protection from deportation and work authorisation. Judge Ana Reyes lifted an earlier order that had paused the move after the Supreme Court ruled in June that it could proceed. Haitians without another legal status may now lose the right to work and face detention or deportation. The Department of Homeland Security has urged them to leave voluntarily. CNN reported that some have already been fitted with ankle monitors by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The legal challenge continues, with migrant lawyers alleging discriminatory intent. The Supreme Court said the evidence did not yet support that claim. Haiti remains under a US travel warning because armed gangs control large areas. FWD.us estimates nearly 190,000 Haitian TPS holders were employed in the US in early 2025, contributing $5.9 billion to the economy and $1.6 billion in taxes.