Trump Ends Deportation Protection for 500,000 Haitians in the U.S.

• Feb 21, 2025

The U.S. government has announced it will end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 500,000 Haitians living in the country by August 3, 2025. This means they will lose their work permits and could face deportation. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the decision on Thursday, marking another move by President Donald Trump to reshape U.S. immigration policies.

Trump’s Immigration Crackdown

Since returning to office, Trump has pushed for strict immigration measures, including "mass deportations" and arrests. His administration argues that TPS has been "exploited and abused" by allowing Haitians who entered the U.S. illegally to gain legal status. This policy shift follows a similar decision on February 1 to end TPS for Venezuelans, though that move is currently being challenged in court by the National TPS Alliance.

Haiti’s Worsening Crisis

The decision comes as conditions in Haiti continue to deteriorate. The United Nations (UN) reports that gangs control 85% of the capital, and violence is rampant. More than 5,600 people were killed in gang-related attacks last year, and sexual violence against children has surged by 1,000%. Families in the country are struggling to survive in makeshift shelters while facing severe health and safety risks.

Many critics argue that sending Haitians back to such dire conditions is inhumane. Democratic congresswoman Ayanna Pressley called the move "shameful," stating that people who have lived in the U.S. for 15 years are now at risk of deportation "for no reason other than being Haitian."

Controversial Comments and Backlash

Trump has made controversial remarks about Haitian immigrants in the past. During his campaign, he falsely claimed that illegal immigrants from Haiti were eating domestic pets in a small Ohio city. Local officials later confirmed that no such incidents had been reported. Former U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby dismissed Trump’s claim as a "racist conspiracy theory."

As the deadline for TPS termination approaches, affected Haitians and advocacy groups are expected to challenge the decision, arguing that deporting thousands of people to a country in crisis violates basic human rights.