Judge blocks U.S. plan to end Haitian protections, cites 'racial animus'

A federal judge has paused the planned termination of Temporary Protected Status for about 350,000 Haitians, finding it likely that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem acted with "racial animus"; further legal steps are undetermined.

A federal judge in Washington has temporarily blocked the planned end of protections that have allowed roughly 350,000 Haitians to live and work in the United States. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes issued an 83-page opinion and granted a request to pause the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) while a lawsuit proceeds. The judge said plaintiffs were likely to prevail and found it substantially likely that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem preordained her decision and was motivated at least in part by racial animus. The Department of Homeland Security criticized the ruling. Key points: - The court order pauses the announced termination of TPS for Haitians and states the termination "shall be null, void, and of no legal effect." - Judge Ana Reyes wrote that plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits and cited evidence she described as showing Noem preordained the decision and acted with "racial animus." - DHS spokespersons responded by denouncing the ruling and defending the prior determination as based on recent developments in Haiti. - TPS for Haiti was first granted after the 2010 earthquake; it allows holders to live and work in the U.S. but does not provide a path to citizenship. - Several other recent TPS terminations affecting nationals from other countries have also been challenged in court. Summary: The ruling maintains current protections for Haitian TPS holders while the legal challenge continues and temporarily prevents the administration's planned termination from taking effect. Undetermined at this time.