Judge Sharply Criticizes Kristi Noem, Trump Admin Over Haitian TPS Termination

Federal judge blocks end of protections for thousands of Haitians in Ohio and across the U.S.

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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A federal judge issued a scathing ruling blocking the Trump administration's attempt to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians, including thousands living in Ohio. Judge Ana C. Reyes of the U.S. District Court in Washington harshly criticized Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and the administration for ignoring facts and the law in their push to terminate the program, which has allowed over 350,000 Haitians to legally reside in the U.S.

Why it matters

The judge's strongly worded rebuke highlights the administration's disregard for the legal process and the real-world impacts of ending TPS protections, which would have immediately stripped legal status from thousands of Haitian immigrants in Ohio and over 350,000 nationwide, many of whom have lived and worked in the U.S. for years.

The details

In her ruling, Judge Reyes accused Noem of engaging in a 'pre-ordained' policy to end TPS for Haitians without properly investigating conditions in the country or consulting other federal agencies, as required by law. The judge noted that the State Department had actually reissued a 'do not travel' advisory for Haiti just two weeks after Noem announced plans to terminate the protections, indicating the situation had worsened. Reyes also criticized Noem for mischaracterizing Haitian immigrants as a drain on public resources, when in fact they are lawful, employed contributors to the U.S. economy and healthcare system.

  • On July 1, 2025, Secretary Noem published an initial notice to terminate Temporary Protected Status for Haitians.
  • On July 15, 2025, the State Department reissued a 'do not travel' advisory for Haiti, citing worsened conditions.
  • On February 3, 2026, Judge Reyes issued a ruling blocking the Trump administration's attempt to end TPS protections for Haitians.

The players

Judge Ana C. Reyes

A federal judge for the U.S. District Court in Washington who issued a sharply worded ruling blocking the Trump administration's attempt to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians.

Kristi Noem

The Director of the Department of Homeland Security who sought to terminate TPS protections for Haitians, a move the judge criticized as ignoring facts and the law.

Donald Trump

The former president whose administration sought to end TPS protections for Haitians, a policy the judge found to be unlawful.

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What they’re saying

“Congress did not vest the Secretary with Humpty Dumpty-like power to make the word 'consultation' mean 'just what [she] chooses it to mean—neither more nor less,'”

— Judge Ana C. Reyes, U.S. District Court Judge (cleveland.com)

“Secretary Noem complains of strains unlawful immigrants place on our immigration-enforcement system. Her answer? Turn 352,959 lawful immigrants into unlawful immigrants overnight.”

— Judge Ana C. Reyes, U.S. District Court Judge (cleveland.com)

What’s next

The judge's ruling blocks the Trump administration's attempt to end TPS protections for Haitians, preserving legal status for over 350,000 individuals nationwide, including thousands in Ohio. The government may appeal the decision.

The takeaway

This case highlights the Trump administration's disregard for the legal process and the real human impact of its immigration policies, as a federal judge harshly rebuked the government's attempt to strip protections from thousands of law-abiding Haitian immigrants contributing to communities across the U.S.