Judge rules ending protections for Venezuelan and Haitian migrants is unlawful
A federal judge blocks the Department of Homeland Security’s attempt to terminate Temporary Protected Status for about 1.1 million Venezuelan and Haitian migrants, ruling the move unlawful.
Background of Temporary Protected Status
Congress created TPS in 1990 to shield migrants from countries beset by war, natural disasters and other crises. Beneficiaries can live and work legally in the US while conditions in their home nations remain unsafe.
Judge Chen Blocks DHS Move
District Judge Edward Chen ruled that the Department of Homeland Security's sudden attempt to terminate TPS for Venezuelan and Haitian migrants was unlawful. In a 69-page opinion, he said the decision by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem was "unprecedented in the manner and speed" it was implemented and violated federal law. Chen noted that conditions in Venezuela and Haiti remain so dangerous that "even the State Department advises against travel."
Implications and Response
The ruling preserves legal status for roughly 600,000 Venezuelan and 500,000 Haitian TPS holders. A DHS spokesperson said the program had been "abused, exploited, and politicised" and indicated the department will seek to appeal. "Unelected activist judges cannot stop the will of the American people for a safe and secure homeland," the spokesperson added.
Legal Battle Continues
The National TPS Alliance and affected migrants challenged the DHS action, arguing that Secretary Noem lacked authority to roll back protections granted by the previous administration. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court allowed the government to remove TPS status for Venezuelans temporarily, but Chen's order reopens the issue while the case proceeds.
Judge Chen found that DHS overstepped its authority and that ending TPS for migrants fleeing hazardous conditions is unlawful.
This topic was reported by BBC News.
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