New York Attorney General Letitia James, alongside a coalition of 18 state attorneys general, filed an amicus brief Monday opposing the Trump administration’s attempt to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian immigrants.
TPS is a humanitarian program that protects individuals from returning to countries that have been deemed unsafe due to ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or other extraordinary conditions that prevent their safe return. In an amicus brief, James and the coalition argue that eliminating TPS for Haitian immigrants would put them in danger, tear families apart and hurt local economies.
“Revoking Haitians’ legal immigration status that has kept them safe with their families in the U.S. is cruel and dangerous,” said Attorney General James. “Haitian immigrants have contributed immensely to our communities, neighborhoods and local economies. Without them, New York—and this nation—would not be the same.”
James is urging the court to preserve TPS for the more than 5,400 Haitian TPS holders currently living in New York City, noting the deep roots and economic contributions of Haitian communities across the state.
TPS was extended to Haitians following the 2010 earthquake that devastated the island. Despite Haiti’s ongoing political turmoil, economic instability, and humanitarian crises, the Trump administration has pushed forward with policies that would roll back these protections—actions the coalition says disregard the nation’s worsening conditions.
In Haitian Evangelical Clergy Association v. Donald J. Trump, the attorneys general argue the administration failed to consider the consequences of ending TPS. If allowed to proceed, the change would strip thousands of Haitian immigrants of their legal status and work authorization, leaving them vulnerable to deportation.
The brief also underscores the economic stakes. In 2023, New York’s 56,800 TPS holders—including 5,400 Haitian recipients—earned $2.3 billion in income, paid nearly $654 million in combined federal, state, and local taxes, and contributed $1.6 billion in consumer spending.
Many Haitian TPS holders serve in essential industries such as healthcare, education, and construction. Others own homes and businesses, further anchoring them in the state’s economic and social fabric.
The coalition’s legal challenge aims to ensure that TPS protections remain in place—not only to uphold humanitarian values but to safeguard the people, families, and communities who have long contributed to the strength of New York and the nation.
