James Battles Trump’s Attack on TPS for Haitian and Venezuelan Immigrants

New York Attorney General Letitia James has thrown down the gauntlet against the Trump administration’s attempt to strip Temporary Protected Status (TPS) from Haitian and Venezuelan immigrants, calling it an unlawful and baseless move.

In a bold stance, James co-led a coalition of 18 other attorneys general in opposing this action. TPS, a vital humanitarian program, shields individuals from being returned to countries unsafe due to armed conflict, environmental disasters, or extraordinary conditions that prevent their safe return.

‘New York is home to thousands of hardworking Haitian and Venezuelan immigrants,’ said AG James, emphasizing the economic, social, and humanitarian consequences of ending TPS. ‘Stripping these individuals of legal status will not make our communities safer or stronger—it only puts them in harm’s way.’

The Trump administration’s termination of TPS for Haitians and Venezuelans was arbitrary, despite ongoing crises in both nations. James and the coalition argue that the move would disrupt local economies, strain state resources, and upend the lives of hundreds of thousands.

New York is home to approximately 56,800 TPS holders, contributing billions to the economy through wages and taxes. The coalition also highlights the impact on mixed-status families, with over 330,000 U.S. citizens living in households where a loved one’s legal status is at risk.