The spokesperson added that Haitians who are currently in the country and were shielded from deportation under TPS should “take advantage of the Department’s resources in returning to Haiti, which can be arranged through the CBP Home app,” referring to self-deportation efforts that were launched by the Trump administration earlier this year.
“Haitian nationals may pursue lawful status through other immigration benefit requests, if eligible,” the statement added.
The temporary protection program, created by Congress in 1990, is available to foreign nationals whose country of origin has experienced armed conflict, natural disaster, or a similar event. Two months before the status expires, the DHS secretary must determine whether to renew it, expand it to include new arrivals from the country, or terminate it.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem indicated in Friday’s announcement that the conditions in Haiti no longer meet the TPS requirements, based on a review “of the conditions in Haiti, and in consultation with the Department of State.”
The agency added that Noem has “determined that, overall, country conditions have improved to the point where Haitians can return home in safety,” and that she has determined that allowing Haitians to stay in the United States is contrary to the national interest of the country.
In February, Noem indicated in a Federal Register notice that her office would move to terminate TPS for Haitian nationals who were currently using that program. In the notice, she estimated that just over 521,000 Haitians are covered under TPS.