By Ashlee Banks
Special to the AFRO
In a move that has drawn widespread condemnation, the Trump administration has announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians, a decision that could result in the deportation of thousands of people to a country facing one of the worst humanitarian crises in its history.
Haiti, already grappling with political instability, gang violence and economic devastation, is now at risk of even greater turmoil as Haitians in the U.S. lose their protected status. Armed groups have taken control of large portions of the country, displacing residents and creating a humanitarian disaster. The United Nations has warned that more than 5 million Haitians—nearly half the population—are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. Food and water shortages, widespread kidnappings, and collapsed healthcare and economic systems have made daily survival a struggle for many.
The rise of violent gangs in Haiti can be traced back to the political chaos that followed the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. In the wake of his murder, Prime Minister Ariel Henry took control, but his leadership was widely rejected as illegitimate. With no functioning government and security forces unable to contain the violence, gangs quickly filled the power vacuum, seizing territory, blocking essential resources and terrorizing civilians. Henry’s inability—or unwillingness—to curb the violence has plunged Haiti deeper into crisis, leaving many to fend for themselves in an increasingly lawless state. *
U.S. lawmakers have strongly condemned the administration’s recent decision.
U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.-9) expressed her outrage, stating that she is “devastated” by this move.
“To deport individuals and their families back to countries facing escalating violence, war-torn conditions, and political unrest is cruel and inhumane,” said the Congressional Black Caucus chairwoman.
“Make no mistake: President Trump has essentially issued a death sentence to many immigrants whose safety was promised under these protections,” she added. “Unfortunately and tragically, this administration has decided to weaponize and undercut TPS’s true purpose to further its despicable anti-immigrant agenda. And that is shameful beyond words.”
Haiti was first granted TPS in 2010 following a catastrophic earthquake that killed an estimated 220,000 people and displaced over a million. While the designation was meant to be temporary, ongoing instability and natural disasters—including hurricanes and the recent deadly earthquake in 2021—have made the country’s recovery nearly impossible. Despite these conditions, the Trump administration has pushed forward with its efforts to roll back humanitarian protections.
U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.-13) urged the administration to “reconsider” its decision.
“We are witnessing unprecedented conditions in Haiti including gang violence, insecurity, and scarcity of humanitarian resources such as food, water and health care,” the Democratic congressman said in a statement.
“TPS matters for our humanity, our economy, and our national security. I will continue to stand by individuals with TPS and will work with my congressional colleagues to find better long-term solutions that will allow individuals with TPS to remain with their families,” Espaillat added.
With Haiti on the brink of collapse, advocates warn that ending TPS will force thousands into life-threatening situations. Immigration groups, legal experts, and community leaders are mobilizing to challenge the administration’s decision, vowing to fight for a more humane approach.
The Biden-Harris administration had previously extended TPS for Haiti, citing ongoing instability, but this reversal under Trump marks a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy. Haiti’s government remains in turmoil, with no clear path to restoring order as international efforts to deploy a security force have stalled. As legal battles and congressional debates over TPS unfold, the fate of tens of thousands of Haitian nationals remains uncertain, as they await legal decisions that will determine their future.
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