Noem ends TPS protection for half a million Haitians, placing them at risk of deportation

WASHINGTON (OSV News) -- Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced June 27 that the department had terminated Temporary Protected Status for Haiti.

The move places about 500,000 Haitians who were previously given legal permission to be in the United States at risk of deportation.

"This decision restores integrity in our immigration system and ensures that Temporary Protective Status is actually temporary," an unnamed DHS spokesperson said in a statement. "The environmental situation in Haiti has improved enough that it is safe for Haitian citizens to return home."

But that assessment stands in contrast to a warning on the State Department's website against Americans traveling to Haiti that was ranked at "Level 4: Do Not Travel," which it defines as "highest advisory level due to greater likelihood of life-threatening risks."

"Do not travel to Haiti due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and limited health care," that advisory states.

In a Federal Register notice of the decision scheduled to be published July 1, Noem called the situation in Haiti "concerning," but argued "the United States must prioritize its national interests."

As recently as June 24, the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince acknowledged that some "commercial air travel has resumed" in the nation and any Americans in Haiti should leave the country "as soon as possible."

The DHS spokesperson added, "We encourage these individuals to take advantage of the Department’s resources in returning to Haiti, which can be arranged through the CBP Home app. Haitian nationals may pursue lawful status through other immigration benefit requests, if eligible."

The U.S. Catholic bishops have previously urged officials to protect TPS designation for nations including Haiti.

Many Haitian immigrants reside in the Miami metro area, and local officials there expressed concern about the impact to their community and economy.

During the 2024 campaign, false claims about Haitian immigrants eating the pets of residents in Springfield, Ohio were circulated by Donald Trump, then the GOP presidential nominee, and his running mate, then-Sen. JD Vance, which were disputed by local officials, including their fellow Republicans.

Under the TPS program, created in 1990, the government may grant protection from deportation to immigrants from countries experiencing dangerous conditions such as war, disaster, or other unrest.