Attorney General James Takes Motion to Defend Haitian Immigrants

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James co-led a coalition of 18 attorneys common in defending the authorized standing of over 250,000 Haitian immigrants presently residing within the United States after fleeing harmful situations of their dwelling nation. In an amicus temporary filed in a case introduced by a gaggle of Haitian immigrants within the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, the coalition argues that the federal administration’s strikes to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) from Haitian immigrants are unlawful and can endanger tons of of 1000’s of individuals all through the nation. Attorney General James and the coalition are urging the courtroom to grant the plaintiffs’ request to postpone the termination of TPS.

“Haitian immigrants are a valuable part of our communities and local economies, helping make New York and this nation what they are today,” stated Attorney General James. “This administration’s attempt to revoke their legal status would put hundreds of thousands of people in danger and threaten to tear apart families. I will continue to fight to protect TPS so Haitians who came to our country to build a better life can continue to pursue the American dream.”

Following a devastating earthquake in 2010, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designated Haiti for TPS safety and prolonged this safety within the years since, most not too long ago in 2024. Despite unsafe situations and political instability in Haiti, the administration has moved to finish protections for TPS holders, jeopardizing the security of over 250,000 Haitian immigrants, together with not less than 56,000 residing in New York.

As of 2022, over 200,000 U.S. residents, together with roughly 87,000 youngsters, had been residing with a Haitian TPS holder. As Attorney General James and the coalition argue, revoking TPS from Haitian immigrants places tons of of 1000’s of households like these in an inconceivable place. Parents with TPS can be compelled to both depart their youngsters behind and return to Haiti, take their U.S. citizen youngsters with them to an unfamiliar and harmful nation, or stay within the U.S. with out authorization and topic their household to steady worry and uncertainty.

Attorney General James and the coalition assert that terminating TPS would inflict vital hurt on communities all through the nation, jeopardizing native economies, public well being, and public security. Haitians are important members of New York’s workforce, filling important roles in healthcare, training, building, and different industries. TPS-eligible Haitians contribute $4.4 billion yearly to the U.S. financial system, and ending their authorized standing would revoke their work permits, harming native economies and making it more durable for households to make ends meet. Ending work authorizations would additionally deprive many of those households of their entry to medical health insurance, making it more durable for weak individuals to get care and rising public well being dangers. Fears of deportation and household separation would dissuade Haitian immigrants from reporting crimes, serving as witnesses, and interacting with legislation enforcement. Children residing with Haitian TPS-holders can be extra prone to miss college and undergo trauma from residing in worry of getting a dad or mum deported.

Attorney General James and the coalition argue that the administration’s actions to terminate TPS are arbitrary, discriminatory, and unconstitutional, and are urging the courtroom to grant the plaintiffs’ movement to remain the termination of TPS for Haitians. Joining Attorney General James in submitting the temporary are the attorneys common of California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia.