Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava reacted after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the termination of temporary protective status (TPS) for Haitian migrants on Friday. TPS for Haitians expires on Aug. 3, 2025, with the termination going into effect on Sept. 2, 2025.
"Today's decision by the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians is another devastating blow to half a million people across the country - and thousands of families here in Miami-Dade - who have followed a legal process and are contributing to our communities, yet now face deportation back to a nation plunged in turmoil and violence," Cava said in a statement.
About 520,000 Haitians currently have TPS in the United States. Of those, about 128,000 are in Florida.
"Our immigration polices should be focused on securing our borders and deporting dangerous criminals, instead of revoking protections for people who are here following the law and enriching our economy. It's more urgent than ever that Congress provide permanent protections and a pathway to legal status for individuals who qualified for TPS, and I reaffirm my call to our Congressional leaders to act now to ensure that Haitians and all those previously covered under TPS can live in peace and certainty," Cava added "This is not about immigration - it is a matter of human dignity, economic stability, and moral leadership."
According to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, the program was ended due to improved conditions in Haiti; therefore, Haitians no longer meet the conditions for temporary legal protections under the program's policy.
TPS was created by Congress in 1990 to allow residents of countries fleeing from natural disasters, war, or other unsafe conditions temporary refuge in the U.S. It could also be extended in increments of 18-month periods.
Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. The U.S. government designated the country for TPS after a devastating earthquake in 2010.
The country has also been rocked by civil unrest and gang violence for years, including in its capital of Port-au-Prince. According to reports, roughly 90% of the capital is controlled by gangs.
Adding to the unrest, former Haitian President Jovenel Moise was assassinated in 2021. The country is currently under a Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) with no official president.
"This decision restores integrity in our immigration system and ensures that Temporary Protective Status is actually temporary,” a DHS spokesperson said.
“The environmental situation in Haiti has improved enough that it is safe for Haitian citizens to return home. We encourage these individuals to take advantage of the Department’s resources in returning to Haiti, which can be arranged through the CBP Home app. Haitian nationals may pursue lawful status through other immigration benefit requests, if eligible," DHS added.
