Judge Refuses to Pause Ruling Protecting Temporary Immigration Status for Haitians

Federal judge rejects Trump administration's attempt to end temporary protected status for Haitians living in the U.S.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A federal judge in Washington, D.C. has refused to pause her previous ruling that blocked the Trump administration from ending temporary immigration protections for Haitians living in the United States. The judge, Ana Reyes, also addressed threats she has received since making the initial ruling on February 2nd, reading aloud profane emails and social media posts calling for her death.

Why it matters

The temporary protected status (TPS) designation allows around 350,000 Haitians to legally live and work in the U.S., even though it does not provide a path to citizenship. The Trump administration had sought to strip this protection from Haitians and other nationalities as part of its broader crackdown on immigration.

The details

Judge Reyes had previously granted a request to pause the termination of TPS for Haitians while a lawsuit challenging the administration's effort to end the protections proceeds. Her latest ruling keeps those temporary protections in place, rejecting the administration's attempt to immediately end the designation for Haitians.

  • On February 2, 2026, Judge Reyes initially ruled to block the Trump administration from ending temporary immigration protections for Haitians.
  • On February 11, 2026, Judge Reyes refused to pause her previous ruling during a hearing in Washington, D.C.

The players

Judge Ana Reyes

A federal judge in Washington, D.C. who was nominated by Democratic President Joe Biden.

Trump administration

The Republican administration of former President Donald Trump, which had sought to end temporary protected status (TPS) for Haitians and other nationalities living in the U.S.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge's ruling to keep the temporary protections in place for Haitians will remain in effect as the lawsuit challenging the administration's effort to end TPS continues through the legal process.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing legal battles over the Trump administration's attempts to roll back temporary immigration protections, even as the Biden administration has taken a different approach on these issues. The judge's refusal to pause her previous ruling also underscores the independence of the judiciary in the face of political pressure and threats.