Urgent Update: Trump Administration Plans to Terminate Deportation Relief for Haitians Living in the U.S.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has decided to end deportation protections for about 521,000 Haitians. This shift is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reduce legal protections for migrants.

Earlier this year, Noem limited the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for many Haitians. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, this decision will take effect on September 2. This aligns with Trump’s goal to tighten immigration rules, a plan he has pursued since he took office.

In February, Noem also moved to conclude TPS for around 350,000 Venezuelans. The Supreme Court recently allowed the administration to terminate TPS for these groups, suggesting others may face similar outcomes soon.

TPS was established by Congress in 1990. It helps individuals from countries hit by severe disasters or conflicts. Before TPS expires, the Secretary must decide whether to renew or end the program.

Abigail Desravines, a Haitian immigrant, explained the struggles with TPS. “People think TPS is a free pass, but it’s not. You have to renew it and live with constant uncertainty,” she shared.

Despite claims from the Department of Homeland Security that conditions in Haiti have improved, many argue the opposite. The country has not had a presidential election in nearly ten years. Following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, violent gangs have taken over much of Port-au-Prince, leading to severe instability.

According to the United Nations, last year saw over 5,600 deaths and 1,400 kidnappings due to gang violence. Currently, more than 1 million people in Haiti are homeless, forced into makeshift shelters.

While the situation continues to deteriorate, the Trump administration has cut funding that was promised to help a U.N.-backed mission aimed at stabilizing Haiti.

As the debate over TPS unfolds, many Haitian families watch with concern. Just like Desravines, they fear what the future holds in both the U.S. and Haiti.



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