Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Deportation Plan, Allowing Over 500,000 Migrants to Stay in the U.S.
Quote from Lawyer on July 21, 2025, 6:30 amIn a significant legal setback for President Donald Trump, a federal judge has ruled to allow over 500,000 migrants to remain in the United States, thwarting the administration’s efforts to deport them. The decision, handed down by U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan, grants temporary protections from deportation to tens of thousands of Haitians living and working in the U.S. under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program. This ruling extends protections until at least February 2026, ensuring that these migrants can continue to reside and work legally in the country.
The TPS program, designed to provide humanitarian relief to individuals from countries facing armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions, has been a lifeline for many Haitians who have lived in the U.S. for over a decade. Judge Cogan’s ruling came in response to the Trump administration’s attempt to shorten the timeline for Haiti’s TPS designation, a move led by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Cogan found that Noem’s decision to expedite the termination of TPS protections was unlawful, as it violated the statutory requirement for adequate notice before altering a country’s TPS designation. The judge emphasized that when the government grants a benefit for a fixed period, beneficiaries have a reasonable expectation to retain that benefit until the designated time expires.
This legal victory follows a similar ruling earlier this month by a New York federal judge, who blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to reduce TPS protections by six months, a period typically set at 18 months. The lawsuit challenging the administration’s actions was filed by a coalition of Haitian immigrants, a labor union, and a clergy group representing TPS beneficiaries. Their efforts underscored the significant impact of TPS terminations on individuals who have built lives in the U.S., many of whom face potential danger or economic hardship if forced to return to their home countries.
The Department of Homeland Security expressed strong disagreement with Cogan’s ruling and indicated that it is evaluating its next steps. The agency had argued that conditions in Haiti had improved sufficiently to justify ending TPS protections, a stance that has been a cornerstone of the Trump administration’s broader immigration policy. This policy has included attempts to revoke TPS for several other countries and terminate a Biden-era humanitarian parole program that allowed over 500,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to enter the U.S. legally. That program, known as CHNV, permitted migrants with U.S. sponsors to live and work in the country for up to two years. However, earlier this year, the Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to end the CHNV program, exposing many of those migrants to deportation risks while legal challenges continue.
The latest ruling on Haiti’s TPS designation has sparked varied reactions. Immigrant rights advocates have hailed the decision as a critical reprieve for TPS holders, emphasizing the humanitarian importance of allowing individuals to remain in the U.S. rather than face uncertain or dangerous conditions in their home countries. Critics of the administration’s immigration policies argue that the attempt to terminate TPS protections prematurely reflects a broader agenda to reduce legal immigration pathways, despite the contributions of TPS holders to American communities.
Conversely, supporters of the Trump administration’s immigration stance view the TPS program and similar initiatives as loopholes that undermine efforts to control illegal immigration. They argue that extending protections for large groups of migrants strains public resources and complicates enforcement efforts. The administration has also pursued other immigration measures, such as resuming workplace raids and exploring third-country deportation agreements, as seen in recent deportations to Eswatini and South Sudan. These actions align with President Trump’s campaign promises to prioritize immigration enforcement, including plans to ramp up deportations and limit legal migration pathways.
The ongoing legal battles over TPS and other immigration programs highlight the contentious nature of U.S. immigration policy. For the over 500,000 migrants affected by Judge Cogan’s ruling, the decision provides temporary relief, allowing them to maintain their legal status and employment authorization. However, the broader fight over immigration policy is far from resolved, with the Trump administration likely to appeal the ruling or seek alternative measures to advance its agenda. As the February 2026 deadline approaches, the fate of TPS holders and other migrants in similar programs will remain a focal point of national debate, balancing humanitarian considerations with enforcement priorities.
In a significant legal setback for President Donald Trump, a federal judge has ruled to allow over 500,000 migrants to remain in the United States, thwarting the administration’s efforts to deport them. The decision, handed down by U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan, grants temporary protections from deportation to tens of thousands of Haitians living and working in the U.S. under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program. This ruling extends protections until at least February 2026, ensuring that these migrants can continue to reside and work legally in the country.
The TPS program, designed to provide humanitarian relief to individuals from countries facing armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions, has been a lifeline for many Haitians who have lived in the U.S. for over a decade. Judge Cogan’s ruling came in response to the Trump administration’s attempt to shorten the timeline for Haiti’s TPS designation, a move led by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Cogan found that Noem’s decision to expedite the termination of TPS protections was unlawful, as it violated the statutory requirement for adequate notice before altering a country’s TPS designation. The judge emphasized that when the government grants a benefit for a fixed period, beneficiaries have a reasonable expectation to retain that benefit until the designated time expires.
This legal victory follows a similar ruling earlier this month by a New York federal judge, who blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to reduce TPS protections by six months, a period typically set at 18 months. The lawsuit challenging the administration’s actions was filed by a coalition of Haitian immigrants, a labor union, and a clergy group representing TPS beneficiaries. Their efforts underscored the significant impact of TPS terminations on individuals who have built lives in the U.S., many of whom face potential danger or economic hardship if forced to return to their home countries.
The Department of Homeland Security expressed strong disagreement with Cogan’s ruling and indicated that it is evaluating its next steps. The agency had argued that conditions in Haiti had improved sufficiently to justify ending TPS protections, a stance that has been a cornerstone of the Trump administration’s broader immigration policy. This policy has included attempts to revoke TPS for several other countries and terminate a Biden-era humanitarian parole program that allowed over 500,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to enter the U.S. legally. That program, known as CHNV, permitted migrants with U.S. sponsors to live and work in the country for up to two years. However, earlier this year, the Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to end the CHNV program, exposing many of those migrants to deportation risks while legal challenges continue.
The latest ruling on Haiti’s TPS designation has sparked varied reactions. Immigrant rights advocates have hailed the decision as a critical reprieve for TPS holders, emphasizing the humanitarian importance of allowing individuals to remain in the U.S. rather than face uncertain or dangerous conditions in their home countries. Critics of the administration’s immigration policies argue that the attempt to terminate TPS protections prematurely reflects a broader agenda to reduce legal immigration pathways, despite the contributions of TPS holders to American communities.
Conversely, supporters of the Trump administration’s immigration stance view the TPS program and similar initiatives as loopholes that undermine efforts to control illegal immigration. They argue that extending protections for large groups of migrants strains public resources and complicates enforcement efforts. The administration has also pursued other immigration measures, such as resuming workplace raids and exploring third-country deportation agreements, as seen in recent deportations to Eswatini and South Sudan. These actions align with President Trump’s campaign promises to prioritize immigration enforcement, including plans to ramp up deportations and limit legal migration pathways.
The ongoing legal battles over TPS and other immigration programs highlight the contentious nature of U.S. immigration policy. For the over 500,000 migrants affected by Judge Cogan’s ruling, the decision provides temporary relief, allowing them to maintain their legal status and employment authorization. However, the broader fight over immigration policy is far from resolved, with the Trump administration likely to appeal the ruling or seek alternative measures to advance its agenda. As the February 2026 deadline approaches, the fate of TPS holders and other migrants in similar programs will remain a focal point of national debate, balancing humanitarian considerations with enforcement priorities.