Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has urged migrants in the United States with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to either seek permanent residency or depart the country, following a Supreme Court decision that ended humanitarian protections for hundreds of thousands of immigrants. In an interview on CNN's State of the Union, Mullin stated, "Either try to fill out the paperwork and be here underneath a permanent status, or we'll help you get back to your country." He added that the administration would provide a plane ticket and approximately $2,100 to assist with re-establishment in their home country, emphasizing that TPS is not a permanent status according to the courts and its name.
Supreme Court Ruling Strips TPS from Over 350,000
The Supreme Court's conservative majority ruled last week that the administration could end TPS for Haitians and Syrians, affecting an estimated 350,000 Haitian and 6,000 Syrian immigrants. Federal law permits the granting of temporary legal residency to those fleeing war, disaster, or other extraordinary conditions. Despite the move to end these protections, the State Department currently advises against travel to Haiti or Syria due to widespread violence, crime, terrorism, and kidnapping.
Impact on Haitian Communities
The ruling has sparked widespread condemnation from TPS holders and advocates, who warn it will disrupt the lives of thousands who have lived and worked in the US for decades. In Springfield, Ohio, Haitian residents expressed despair over the coming changes. Franky Pierre, a Haitian immigrant who arrived during the 1991 military coup, told the Guardian, "For Springfield, it's going to hurt. When I came here, this area was dead. In this plaza, there are [now] seven Haitian businesses. All of these people are going to have to run away or go somewhere, which I'm pretty sure is going to start tonight." During the 2024 election, former President Donald Trump falsely accused Haitians in Springfield of eating pets, leading to bomb threats and white supremacist marches.
Republican Criticism of the Ruling
Some Republicans have also criticized the Supreme Court decision. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine called it a "mistake," noting that "the situation in Haiti could hardly be much worse. The violent gangs run most of the country. The government barely functions. And the economy is in shambles." Representatives Mike Lawler of New York and Don Bacon of Nebraska have argued for TPS extensions for Haitian immigrants. Overall, 1.7 million people from 17 countries currently hold TPS, and immigration advocates fear the Trump administration may target other TPS holders, effectively ending the 1990 program.
