Attorney General Kwame Raoul has joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief to support plaintiffs challenging the Trump administration's decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians and Venezuelans. The brief, filed in the case Haitian-Americans United, et al., v. Trump, urges the court to delay these terminations while legal proceedings continue.
Raoul emphasized the significant contributions of Haitians and Venezuelans with TPS designations, stating: “Haitians and Venezuelans who hold TPS designations have fled conflicts and environmental disasters in their home countries. Temporary Protected Status helps these immigrants work toward a better life for their families while also contributing to the nation’s workforce.” He added, “I am committed to standing with my fellow attorneys general to protect processes that provide a path for TPS holders to work toward permanent residence in the U.S.”
TPS allows nationals from designated countries to remain legally in the U.S. due to conditions such as armed conflict or environmental disasters in their home countries. Despite ongoing crises in Haiti and Venezuela, the Trump administration has partially terminated TPS for Haitians and fully terminated it for Venezuelans since 2023. This action reduces Haitian TPS holders' stay from 18 months to 12 months and subjects Venezuelan holders to deportation.
The terminations affect nearly 260,000 Haitian TPS holders and many of the current 600,000 Venezuelan holders nationwide. Raoul and his coalition warn that these actions will deplete state workforces, compromise public health and safety, separate families, and lead to economic costs associated with rehiring care workers.
The brief also highlights concerns over loss of employer-sponsored health insurance due to revoked work authorizations. It argues that fear of detention may deter undocumented individuals from reporting crimes or engaging with law enforcement.
Furthermore, Raoul's coalition points out that terminating TPS could result in traumatic family separations and negatively impact children's mental health and school attendance.
Joining Attorney General Raoul are attorneys general from California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island Vermont Washington Wisconsin.