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Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Trump Bid to End TPS for Haitians and Syrians
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on whether the Trump administration can end temporary protected status for migrants from Haiti and Syria without judicial review. The case involves appeals of lower court orders blocking the terminations, potentially affecting up to 1.3 million people from 17 countries. A decision is expected by summer.
Apr 29, 11:56 AM·3m read5 sources
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The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on April 29, 2026, in a case involving the Trump administration's decision to terminate temporary protected status (TPS) for migrants from Haiti and Syria. The administration appealed lower court rulings that halted the Department of Homeland Security's efforts to end these designations.
TPS provides temporary relief from deportation for individuals from countries facing armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions. The designations for Haiti date to 2010 following an earthquake, and for Syria to 2012 amid civil war.
According to Department of Homeland Security statements in court filings, the terminations were based on assessments that conditions in those countries had improved sufficiently to no longer warrant TPS extensions.
Solicitor General D. John Sauer, representing the administration, argued that the homeland security secretary holds unreviewable discretion over TPS decisions. He stated in oral arguments, "The kind of determination that is at issue here is just the sort of determination that lies kind of at the heartland of what has been traditionally entrusted to the political branches," as reported in Fortune.
Sauer further contended that judicial review could interfere with executive branch authority on immigration and foreign policy, citing congressional intent for TPS to be temporary. The administration's position, as outlined in briefs, emphasizes that ending outdated designations allows for focused enforcement on current immigration priorities.
Lawyers for the migrants, including Ahilan Arulanantham representing approximately 350,000 Haitian TPS holders and 6,000 Syrian TPS holders, argued that the administration must adhere to statutory procedures, such as reviewing country conditions and providing 60 days' notice.
Arulanantham stated during arguments, "The bottom line is the secretary can terminate TPS, but he must turn square corners and follow the rules Congress set," according to ABC. Justice Sonia Sotomayor referenced President Donald Trump's past statements on Haitian immigrants, questioning potential discriminatory intent.
