Letitia James, Revocation of Temporary Protected Status, New York, …

New York Attorney General Letitia James has joined forces with 18 state attorneys general to file an amicus brief in defense of over 250,000 Haitian immigrants facing the threat of deportation.

The coalition argues that the federal administration’s move to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian immigrants is illegal and poses a grave risk to hundreds of thousands of individuals across the country. James asserts that ending TPS would not only endanger these immigrants but also disrupt families and local communities.

Since 2010, when Haiti was struck by a devastating earthquake, the Department of Homeland Security has provided TPS protection to Haitian immigrants. However, the administration is now seeking to end this protection, which threatens the safety of tens of thousands, including at least 56,000 in New York.

James emphasizes that revoking TPS would force parents with TPS status to choose between leaving their American citizen children behind or taking them back to dangerous conditions. This move could also leave families without work authorization and health insurance, causing economic hardship and public health risks.

The coalition asserts that ending TPS would harm local economies, putting at risk the $4.4 billion in annual contributions from Haitian immigrants to the U.S. economy. It would also make it harder for Haitians to report crimes, interact with law enforcement, and lead normal lives.

Joining James in this fight are the attorneys general of California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia. The coalition is urging the court to grant the plaintiffs’ request to postpone TPS termination.

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