DHS cancels temporary protected status for Haitians

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Friday announced the termination of temporary protected status (TPS) for Haitians, to take effect Sept. 2.

A press release from DHS indicated that Secretary Kristi Noem determined that the situation in Haiti no longer justified TPS for persons from that country.

“This decision restores integrity in our immigration system and ensures that Temporary Protective Status is actually temporary,” a DHS spokesperson said. “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.”

More than 500,000 Haitians current have TPS. Arrivals from the Caribbean state stood at the center of an election controversy over President Donald Trump's assertions that Haitians settled in Springfield, Ohio, had been accused of eating local wildlife and pets. Those claims were highly disputed at the time.