Judge Blocks Trump Administration's Deportation Move for Haitians

A federal judge issued a ruling on Tuesday that halted the Trump administration's plan to end deportation protections for hundreds of thousands of Haitians residing in the United States. This decision prevents their removal back to Haiti.

In a detailed 23-page order, Judge Brian Cogan of the Eastern District of New York stated that Secretary Kristi Noem, head of the Department of Homeland Security, lacked the legal authority to terminate the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for these individuals. The administration had moved to end these protections the previous week.

The Biden administration had previously extended these protections for Haitians until February 3, 2026. Judge Cogan's ruling indicated that Secretary Noem would need to wait until that date before making any decision regarding the renewal of TPS for Haitians, adhering to the procedures established by Congress.

This ruling represents a setback for the administration's efforts to revoke protections for migrants who had sought refuge from unstable and dangerous regions. This action was in line with a campaign promise made by President Trump, who had previously criticized Haitians during a debate and identified them as potential targets for deportation.