The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is revoking the temporary protected status from Haiti, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced on Friday, potentially impacting over 520,000 Haitian immigrants and opening them up to possible deportation.
“The environmental situation in Haiti has improved enough that it is safe for Haitian citizens to return home. 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,” said a DHS spokesperson.
Under temporary protected status, as many as 520,000 Haitian immigrants have been allowed to remain in the U.S. and receive work authorization and taxpayer benefits without fear of deportation, even if they initially entered the country illegally.
Haitians have enjoyed some degree of temporary protected status privileges since 2010, after a devastating earthquake struck the country. However, that initial order only applied to Haitian nationals who had been living continuously in the U.S. prior to the date it was issued and was intended to be temporary.
That status has been continually expanded and extended since 2010, despite an attempt by the first Trump administration in 2017 to end it, which was blocked. Most recently, the Biden administration renewed the status for another 18 months in June 2024, citing an increase in gang violence and opening the door for over 300,000 additional Haitians to apply for protected status.
The renewal was set to continue until February 2026, but Noem reduced the extension so that it is now set to expire in August.
Now, Noem has determined that Haiti no longer meets the criteria to receive protected status, and Haitian nationals can safely return to their home country, affirming that the status will not be renewed.
“Secretary Noem determined that conditions in Haiti no longer meet the TPS statutory requirements. The Secretary’s decision was based on a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services review of the conditions in Haiti and in consultation with the Department of State,” DHS said in a statement.
“The Secretary determined that, overall, country conditions have improved to the point where Haitians can return home in safety. She further determined that permitting Haitian nationals to remain temporarily in the United States is contrary to the national interest of the United States,” they added.
Haitians will officially lose protected status as of September 2. The DHS urged Haitians returning to their home country to use the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) One app to report their departure to the federal government.
The announcement sparked outrage from some on the left, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).
“The Trump Admin just decided to send thousands of innocent people who have been living and working here legally into imminent danger in Haiti. Trump will tear apart families, rip up communities, and leave businesses and nursing homes short handed. And no one will be safer,” said Sen. Warren on X.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller issued a scathing rebuke on the same platform.
“I’m confused, Senator. If Haiti is as much of a mess as you say, why are Democrats trying to relocate Haiti into the United States,” said Miller on X.
“And a follow-up: if Haiti is in need of economic development don’t we have an obligation to return their own citizens back home,” he added.
Haitian immigration took center stage during the 2024 election when President Donald Trump called attention to the 20,000 Haitian immigrants resettled in the small Ohio town of Springfield and their alleged propensity for eating family pets and ducks swimming in public parks.
The president also drew outrage in 2018 during his first term when he reportedly referred to Haiti, among other nations, as “shithole countries,” questioning why the U.S. should be allowing people from those countries to immigrate here.
