A federal appeals court in Washington temporarily blocked the decision of President Donald Trump's government to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian immigrants, which will allow the program to remain in effect at least until July 27, while the legal dispute continues.

Court rejects the Government's request

The Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit denied the government's request to stay a lower court order preventing TPS from being withdrawn before legal proceedings are concluded.

In their resolution, the judges indicated that the Trump government did not demonstrate that there were sufficient reasons to lift the precautionary measure, also considering that the case will be analyzed again by that same court on July 27.

The panel was made up of three justices: two appointed by former President Joe Biden and one appointed by Donald Trump.

The decision comes after the ruling of the Supreme Court

On June 25, the Supreme Court authorized the Trump administration to move forward with the revocation of TPS for citizens of Haiti and Syria, a decision that opened the door to the loss of immigration protection for more than 300,000 Haitians residing in the United States.

The work permits and protection from deportation were scheduled to expire this Friday, but appeals court intervention postponed that date again.

A program in force since the 2010 earthquake

TPS was first granted to Haitians after the devastating earthquake that shook the country in 2010. Since then, the benefit has been renewed due to the deterioration of the political, social and security situation in the Caribbean nation.

Created by Congress in 1990, this mechanism allows citizens of countries affected by armed conflict, natural disasters or extraordinary crises to remain legally in the United States and obtain authorization to work as long as those conditions persist.

Debate persists over security in Haiti

The Trump administration maintains that Haiti meets the necessary conditions for the return of its citizens and that there are no longer reasons to maintain TPS.

However, that stance contrasts with the State Department's current advisory that maintains a Level 4 travel alert (“Do Not Travel”) due to gang violence, kidnappings, terrorism, civil unrest and limitations on health services. International organizations, including the UN, also continue to warn about the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the country.

Uncertainty worries thousands of families

The extension provides temporary respite for thousands of Haitians, especially in South Florida, where a significant part of this community works in the hospitality, health, cleaning and other essential services sectors.

Community organizations warn that a definitive cancellation of TPS would have consequences for both immigrant families and companies that depend on this workforce. They also warn about the difficult scenario faced by those who have children born in the United States and lack a safe place to return to, since many homes were destroyed or came under the control of armed groups in Haiti.