Judge Halts End of TPS for Haitians, Allowing Them to Stay in U.S. for Now

Community members in Miami's Little Haiti gather for prayer vigil after federal judge's temporary block on ending humanitarian protections

Feb. 3, 2026 at 10:39pm

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A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration's plan to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for over 350,000 Haitian immigrants nationwide, including an estimated 158,000 in Florida. The ruling allows Haitian TPS recipients to remain in the country and continue working, at least for now. A prayer vigil was held in Miami's Little Haiti neighborhood to celebrate the decision and call for permanent legal status for TPS holders.

Why it matters

The end of TPS would have forced many Haitian families to return to a country still recovering from natural disasters and political instability, raising concerns about public safety and the ability of Haiti to absorb a large influx of deportees. The temporary court ruling provides relief, but community leaders warn the fight is far from over as appeals are expected.

The details

On Monday, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes temporarily blocked the Trump administration from ending TPS for Haitians across the country. The ruling allows more than 350,000 Haitian immigrants nationwide, including an estimated 158,000 in Florida, to remain in the country and continue working, at least for now. A prayer vigil was held in Miami's Little Haiti neighborhood the following day, where community members gathered to celebrate the decision and call for permanent legal status for TPS holders.

  • On Monday, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes temporarily blocked the Trump administration from ending TPS for Haitians.
  • On Tuesday, a prayer vigil was held in Miami's Little Haiti neighborhood to celebrate the court ruling.

The players

Fabiola Barthelemy

A Haitian American who has lived in the U.S. for decades and expressed concerns about the crisis in Haiti and the potential consequences of sending people back.

Elizabeth Barthelemy

Fabiola Barthelemy's daughter, who said the thought of her relatives being forced to return to Haiti is devastating.

Christine King

Miami-Dade County District 5 Commissioner, who emphasized that TPS recipients are law-abiding citizens.

Manny Morales

Miami Police Chief, who said many members of the Miami Police Department are Haitian American and they are there in support.

Linda Julien

Miami Gardens Councilwoman, who said she hopes the ruling leads to lasting policy changes to keep TPS holders in the U.S.

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What they’re saying

“The past five years, what Haiti's been dealing with — we are not ready. The crisis is real. Children are being raped and gangs are still active. Sending people back is like a death sentence to me.”

— Fabiola Barthelemy (CBS News Miami)

“It would make me feel mad, frustrated, sad and depressed. My cousins are like my family. I would go with them.”

— Elizabeth Barthelemy (CBS News Miami)

“I understand the administration's push to remove criminals from our country. They are law-abiding citizens.”

— Christine King, Miami-Dade County District 5 Commissioner (CBS News Miami)

“We're hoping other steps will be taken to create meaningful policy to keep them here.”

— Linda Julien, Miami Gardens Councilwoman (CBS News Miami)

“They've had TPS since 2010. It's 2026 — that's 16 years. That's enough.”

— Daphne Campbell, Former Florida State Senator (CBS News Miami)

What’s next

Legal sources expect the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website to be updated within the next few days to reflect the judge's ruling and the continued TPS protections for Haitians.

The takeaway

This court ruling provides temporary relief for Haitian TPS recipients, but community leaders warn that the fight is far from over as appeals are expected. The end of TPS would have forced many Haitian families to return to a country still recovering from natural disasters and political instability, raising concerns about public safety and Haiti's ability to absorb a large influx of deportees. Advocates are calling for permanent legal status for TPS holders to provide long-term stability and certainty.