The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the Trump administration may proceed with ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) protections for hundreds of thousands of Haitian and Syrian nationals. This decision prompted immediate political reaction from Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY).
In a 6-3 decision, the court held that federal courts generally lack authority to review certain determinations by the Department of Homeland Security regarding the termination of TPS designations, reinforcing broad executive discretion over the humanitarian immigration program.
Temporary Protected Status allows eligible nationals from countries experiencing armed conflict, environmental disasters or other extraordinary conditions to remain temporarily in the United States while receiving protection from deportation and authorization to work.
The ruling applies to approximately 350,000 Haitian nationals and roughly 6,100 Syrian nationals whose TPS designations were the subject of the administration’s termination efforts.
By allowing the administration to move forward, the decision removes legal barriers that had delayed implementation of the policy. Individuals whose TPS protections expire could become subject to standard immigration enforcement unless they qualify for another form of immigration relief.
The decision is also expected to influence future litigation involving TPS designations for other countries by reaffirming the executive branch’s authority to determine whether conditions continue to justify the temporary humanitarian protections.
While many Republicans welcomed the ruling, Lawler publicly urged President Donald Trump to reconsider ending TPS for Haiti immediately.
“While I have never disputed the ability of the President to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS), I strongly disagree with ending Haitian TPS at this time,” Lawler wrote in a post on X following the court’s decision.
Lawler argued that many Haitian TPS recipients work in healthcare and warned that abruptly ending their work authorization could create staffing shortages.
“Of the 350,000-plus lawful Haitian TPS holders, roughly one-third work in our healthcare system. Immediately shutting off TPS will create a crisis in our hospitals, nursing homes, and in the I/DD community,” he wrote.
The congressman asked the administration to allow Haitian TPS holders to continue working for six months while their immigration cases are adjudicated if the revocation proceeds.
Lawler also renewed support for bipartisan legislation he introduced with Rep. Laura Gillen (D-NY) that would require the Department of Homeland Security to redesignate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status for an additional 18 months beginning Aug. 3, 2025, per Trending Politics.
The New York Republican has repeatedly advocated for extending Haiti’s TPS designation, citing humanitarian concerns as well as the potential impact on employers and communities in his district, which includes sizable Haitian populations in Rockland, Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties.
His comments drew criticism from some conservatives who support the administration’s immigration agenda. Former Trump nominee Jeremy Carl criticized Lawler on social media, calling him “the worst GOP congressman” and urging Republicans to replace him.
The Supreme Court’s ruling marks another legal victory for the Trump administration as it continues implementing immigration policies aimed at narrowing temporary humanitarian programs while expanding enforcement priorities. The decision also underscores the executive branch’s broad authority over immigration policy, leaving future TPS designations largely in the hands of the administration rather than the courts.
