Late-night ruling in Miot v. Trump grants stay, calls DHS termination “arbitrary and capricious” amid Haiti’s ongoing crisis
Washington, D.C. – February 4, 2026 In a major victory for Haitian Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a late-night ruling on February 3, blocking the Trump administration from terminating TPS for Haiti, which had been scheduled to expire at 11:59 p.m. that same day.
The decision came in the class-action lawsuit Miot v. Trump, filed by Haitian TPS beneficiaries challenging the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) November 2025 termination notice issued by Secretary Kristi Noem. The notice had claimed conditions in Haiti had improved sufficiently and that continued TPS was contrary to U.S. national interests.
Judge Reyes granted the plaintiffs’ motion for a stay, declaring the attempted termination “null, void, and of no legal effect” during the pendency of the litigation. The order explicitly preserves the validity of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) and shields TPS beneficiaries from detention and deportation for the duration of the judicial stay.
In an 83-page opinion, Reyes found that plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits, concluding that Secretary Noem’s termination decision was arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act. She criticized DHS for failing to adequately address Haiti’s ongoing crises — including rampant gang violence, the displacement of over 1.4 million people, economic collapse, and the absence of a functioning government — while suggesting the decision may have been influenced by improper considerations, including potential racial animus toward nonwhite immigrants.
Immediate Relief for Over 100,000 Haitians
The ruling provides immediate relief to more than 100,000 Haitian TPS holders across the United States, many of whom have lived and worked legally in the country for over a decade. TPS beneficiaries remain protected from deportation and retain work authorization while the case proceeds.
USCIS and DHS websites may still display outdated termination alerts, but the court order supersedes those notices. TPS holders are advised to continue using their current EADs and monitor official updates.
What Comes Next?
The Trump administration is expected to appeal the decision, potentially fast-tracking the case to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit or the Supreme Court. In the meantime, the stay remains in effect, preserving protections pending further litigation.
The decision is a significant setback for the administration’s immigration enforcement agenda and a major win for Haitian communities, immigrant rights organizations, and advocates who have argued that deporting TPS holders to Haiti would be inhumane given the country’s severe security and humanitarian crisis.
L’Union Suite will continue to track the case, any appeals, and updates from DHS/USCIS. If you or someone you know holds Haitian TPS, consult an accredited immigration attorney for personalized guidance.
Solidarity and strength to the Haitian community — we remain vigilant.
