A federal judge in New York has ruled in favor of Haitians with Temporary Protected Status (TPS), blocking the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) decision to shorten the TPS designation period from 18 months to 12 months. This ruling restores the original expiration date of February 3, 2026, for Haiti TPS, overturning Secretary of Homeland Security Kristy Noem’s February 2025 decision to curtail the extension to August 3, 2025. The judge found Noem’s action unlawful under the Administrative Procedure Act because it ignored statutory provisions requiring early notice and barring termination before a prior extension expires.
The ruling emphasized that TPS beneficiaries had relied on the government’s prior representations by enrolling in schools, working, and receiving medical treatment, and therefore had a reasonable expectation to maintain their protected status until the original expiration date. The government is expected to appeal the decision, so further legal proceedings will determine the final outcome.
In summary:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Original TPS expiration date | February 3, 2026 |
| DHS shortened expiration date | August 3, 2025 |
| Judge’s ruling | Restores February 3, 2026 expiration date |
| Legal basis | DHS exceeded authority; violated Administrative Procedure Act |
| Next steps | Government likely to appeal |
This decision provides relief to over half a million Haitians currently protected under TPS, allowing them to maintain their status at least until February 2026.