James Fights DHS Attempt to Deport 350K Haitians

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James is leading a legal brawl against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), fighting to prevent the agency from ripping away the legal protections of over 350,000 Haitian immigrants. James, along with a coalition of 17 other Attorneys General, filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, arguing that terminating Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for these individuals would be a disaster for communities across the nation.

The stakes are high. Nearly one in four TPS holders nationwide is Haitian, and many have built lives and families in the United States over the last decade. James’ office detailed the devastating impact termination would have: 87,000 U.S. citizen children and 116,000 U.S. citizen adults currently live with a Haitian TPS holder. Forcing these individuals back to Haiti, a nation riddled with instability, is not just cruel, it’s a recipe for family separation and societal chaos.

“This administration’s continued efforts to strip away the legal status of hundreds of thousands of Haitians will put families in danger and tear apart our communities,” James stated bluntly. “Every day, Haitian immigrants contribute immensely to New York, from working in our schools and hospitals to running successful small businesses.” She vows to keep fighting to ensure these families can continue living and working safely within the country’s borders.

The financial impact of terminating TPS is also significant. In New York alone, over 56,000 Haitians hold TPS, generating over $140 million in state and local taxes annually, and contributing over $800 million to the state’s economy. Losing their work authorization would not only cripple these families financially, but would also strain already overburdened social services and healthcare systems. The brief highlights the risk of increased immigration enforcement at hospitals and clinics, deterring Haitians from seeking essential medical care.

This isn’t James’ first rodeo. In November 2025, she led a similar coalition defending TPS for both Haitian and Venezuelan immigrants. In September 2025, she co-led a group of 18 Attorneys General in another legal challenge. This latest move is part of a consistent pattern of pushing back against what James views as unlawful attempts to dismantle immigration protections. The coalition is now urging the U.S. Court of Appeals to reject DHS’s attempt to pause the district court’s decision protecting these vulnerable immigrants.

Joining James in this fight are the Attorneys General of California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawai‘i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia. The case remains ongoing, and the fate of hundreds of thousands hangs in the balance. Grimy Times will continue to follow this developing story.

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