Today, Secretary Noem reversed a decision made by the previous administration to extend Haiti's Temporary Protected Status (TPS) by 18 months. This action will terminate Haiti’s TPS on August 3, 2025, unless further extended. The move aligns with President Trump’s commitment to rescind policies that attract illegal immigration and are seen as inconsistent with legal standards.
TPS is an immigration status for nationals of certain countries that permits temporary residence in the U.S., even for those who entered illegally. The Secretary of Homeland Security can designate a country for TPS due to ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or extraordinary conditions.
The system has been criticized for being misused over decades. Since its designation in 2010, each extension reportedly increased the number of Haitian nationals qualifying for protected status. DHS data shows eligible Haitians grew from an estimated 57,000 in May 2011 to about 520,694 by July 2024.
A DHS spokeswoman stated: “Biden and Mayorkas attempted to tie the hands of the Trump administration by extending Haiti's Temporary Protected Status by 18 months—far longer than justified or necessary.”
“We are returning integrity to the TPS system, which has been abused and exploited by illegal aliens for decades. President Trump and Secretary Noem are returning TPS to its original status: temporary.”
In January, Secretary Noem also revoked the previous administration’s extension of Venezuela's TPS.