State court ruling temporarily preserves TPS protections for Haitians

A federal judge has ordered a temporary halt to the Trump administration’s effort to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals, allowing existing protections and work authorizations to remain in effect while the case proceeds.

The ruling, issued Monday by the US District Court in Washington, DC, in Miot v. Trump, blocks a planned February 3 termination of Haiti’s TPS designation. The stay means that individuals covered under the program may continue to live and work legally in the United States for now, though the outcome remains uncertain as litigation continues.

Two weeks ago, the Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts conducted a brief workforce survey in partnership with the state. Based on those results, the Alliance estimates that between 800 and 1,000 direct care workers employed by its member agencies could be affected by the TPS decision.

For employers, the immediate implication is that Haitian TPS holders are authorized to continue working. That status could change if the federal government successfully appeals the ruling.

State officials expect the US Citizenship and Immigration Services website to be updated shortly with formal guidance reflecting the court’s decision.

In response to the ruling, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s office, in partnership with the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants, will host a virtual briefing for employers and workforce partners on Wednesday at 11:15 a.m. The session will provide a legal overview of the decision, outline implications for workplaces, and offer guidance on supporting affected employees. A moderated Q&A will follow.

Advocacy groups and industry partners have emphasized that while the ruling provides short-term stability, it does not resolve the underlying uncertainty facing Haitian workers and the employers who rely on them.