Federal Judge Orders Trump Administration to Detail Springfield ICE Plans

Ruling delays end of Temporary Protected Status for Haitian immigrants

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to outline what steps, if any, it has taken to prepare for the potential expiration of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian immigrants in areas like Springfield, Ohio. The judge's ruling is part of an ongoing lawsuit challenging the administration's plan to end the TPS designation.

Why it matters

The judge's order highlights the ongoing legal battle over the Trump administration's efforts to end TPS for certain immigrant groups, which could lead to the deportation of thousands of people who have been living and working legally in the U.S. for years. The focus on Springfield, Ohio reflects concerns about the potential impact on communities with large TPS-holder populations.

The details

On Feb. 2, U.S. District Court Judge Ana Reyes delayed the administration's plan to end the TPS designation for Haitian immigrants, which had been scheduled to expire on Feb. 3. The administration then filed a motion to pause Reyes' ruling while it appeals to a federal appellate court. In response, Reyes ordered the government to file a sworn declaration by Feb. 10 detailing any steps it has taken to prepare for the potential expiration of Haitian TPS, particularly in areas like Springfield with large TPS-holder populations.

  • On Feb. 2, Judge Reyes delayed the administration's plan to end Haitian TPS.
  • On Feb. 5, the administration filed a motion to pause Reyes' ruling.
  • On Feb. 6, Reyes issued an order criticizing the administration's "rushed timetable" on the motion.
  • Reyes ordered the government to file a sworn declaration by Feb. 10 on its TPS preparation plans.
  • The appeals court has given until Feb. 16 for the plaintiffs to respond to the government's request to pause Reyes' ruling.

The players

Ana Reyes

U.S. District Court Judge for the District of Columbia, appointed by President Joe Biden.

Donald Trump

Former President of the United States.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The federal agency responsible for immigration enforcement.

Justin Walker

Judge on the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, appointed by President Trump.

Florence Pan

Judge on the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, appointed by President Biden.

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What they’re saying

“The Government took three business days from the Court's decision to file the motion. They now ask the Court to rule within one business day and three hours and do so without identifying any basis for this rushed timetable.”

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

“Either the Government does not have any concrete plans to detain and initiate removal proceedings against Haitian TPS holders if the Court stays its decision pending litigation and therefore its own ... argument is suspect, or the Government does have such concrete plans and therefore its argument that Plaintiffs will suffer no 'irreparable harm' is suspect.”

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

What’s next

The Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit has given the plaintiffs until Feb. 16 to respond to the government's request to pause Judge Reyes' ruling while the appeals court decides the case.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing legal battles over the Trump administration's efforts to end Temporary Protected Status for certain immigrant groups, which could have significant impacts on communities with large TPS-holder populations like Springfield, Ohio. The judge's order underscores concerns about the administration's potential plans for immigration enforcement in these areas.