New York state Attorney General Letitia James called the Supreme Court’s decision to end temporary legal protections for Haitians and Syrians “a betrayal of our values.”
The nation’s highest court ruled 6-3 Thursday that the Department of Homeland Security can end temporary legal protections that had shielded those living and working in the U.S. from deportation. The ruling means more than 350,000 Haitians and 6,000 Syrians have to the potential to be removed from the country.
“This ruling is a betrayal of our values and of the promise our country made to protect people from displacement, repression, and harm. Hundreds of thousands of TPS holders have built families, careers, businesses, and communities here in the United States,” James said in a statement. “They are our neighbors, coworkers, classmates, and loved ones, and they deserve more than to have their lives thrown into chaos by a cruel and reckless administration.”
James led several amicus briefs opposing the termination of temporary protected status.
“My office will continue to stand with immigrant communities and fight for the people who came to this country seeking safety and helped build our state and nation in return,” she said.
Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced last year that the Trump administration was ending TPS for the two countries, contending that conditions were safe for nationals to return to their homelands.
U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler, a Republican representing New York’s 17th Congressional District, said in a statement Thursday that conditions in Haiti remain extremely dangerous due to rampant gang violence, political instability and other factors.
“The State Department has Haiti at a Level 4 Travel Advisory, the highest warning possible, due to gang activity, terrorism, kidnapping, civil unrest, and other life-threatening conditions,” Lawler said in a partial statement. “Just like it is not safe for Americans to go to Haiti, it is not safe to force Haitians to return at this current moment in time.
With our southern border now secure, we have the ability, and the responsibility, to pursue practical, targeted solutions that uphold the rule of law and recognize the harsh realities on the ground in Haiti.”
Lawler co-led legislation that would require the Homeland Security secretary to designate Haiti for temporary protected status. The measure passed the House of Representatives in April.