New York Attorney General Letitia James is taking legal action to defend the status of more than 250,000 Haitian immigrants facing the loss of federal protections.
On Thursday, James co-led a coalition of 18 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in federal court, urging a judge to block the Biden administration’s plan to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians fleeing violence and instability.
“These immigrants are a valuable part of our communities,” James said. “Revoking their legal status would tear families apart and put thousands at risk.”
TPS was first granted to Haitians after the 2010 earthquake and has been extended over the years — most recently in 2024. Despite ongoing unrest in Haiti, the Department of Homeland Security is now seeking to end those protections, placing families in limbo.
Impact on New Yorkers
At least 56,000 Haitian TPS holders live in New York, many with U.S.-born children. Across the country, more than 200,000 American citizens live with a Haitian TPS recipient.
If TPS ends, families may be forced to separate, leave the country, or live without legal protection. That could lead to:
- Job losses and expired work permits
- Disrupted healthcare access
- Decreased school attendance for children
- Fear of reporting crimes or interacting with law enforcement
Haitian immigrants contribute $4.4 billion annually to the U.S. economy, filling vital jobs in healthcare, construction, and education.
Legal challenge underway
The brief filed by James and her counterparts argues that ending TPS is arbitrary, discriminatory, and unconstitutional. It urges the court to grant a stay on the termination, keeping protections in place while the case proceeds.
Joining New York in the legal filing are the attorneys general from California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and several other states and the District of Columbia.
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