January 29, 2026
In Brooklyn, federal judge Brian Cogan has suspended the Trump administration’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians before its expiration. This move had aimed to cancel the extension granted until February 2026 by the Biden administration.
In his ruling, the judge found that Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem had failed to follow the legal steps required by Congress, making her action invalid. He ruled that the executive branch could not unilaterally change a TPS designation without conducting a proper review as mandated by law.
Judge Cogan emphasized that the rights of Haitians to live and work in the United States outweighed the government’s arguments. However, he noted that Congress remained free to end the program, as long as it followed the procedures set by law.
The lawsuit had been filed by nine Haitian TPS holders, denouncing the decision as hasty and racially discriminatory. According to Reuters, the ruling comes amid heightened tensions fueled by Trump’s controversial comments about Haitian migrants.
As gang violence continues to devastate Haiti despite international support, the protection provided by TPS remains vital for thousands of families. Judge Cogan, who was appointed by George W. Bush, thus sent a strong message against any arbitrary challenge to this status.
