SPOKANE, Wash. — A federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s plan to deport hundreds of thousands of Haitian nationals, including about 500 living in Spokane.
The Trump administration tried to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians. This program lets people live and work in the U.S. when their home country is unsafe due to war, natural disasters or other emergencies.
The Trump administration said conditions in Haiti have improved and it’s time to end the protection. But the judge said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem failed to prove Haiti is safe for people to return.
The judge also questioned Noem’s motives, pointing to her social media post that called immigrants from countries like Haiti “killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies.”
The five people who sued are not any of those things, the judge wrote. Instead, they are respected community members including a brain doctor, a lab worker, a college student and a nurse.
The Trump administration plans to appeal. A DHS official wrote “Supreme Court, here we come.”
While the case continues, Haitian nationals remain in limbo.
“To take somebody here that you already gave a opportunity — and then send them back — it’s like you didn’t do anything at all,” said Rev. Luc Jasmin Jr. of Jasmin Ministries.
Local groups have been helping these refugees. Thrive International said Haitian community members are worried about whether they can stay in the U.S. or must return to Haiti, where conditions have not improved.
“These are folks who are already working hard here in our community. They’re holding down jobs, they’re paying taxes, they’re contributing to society,” said Mark Finney of Thrive International. “I heard just a couple of days ago from a Haitian woman who works in healthcare. She does a great job, her employer loves her, but because our government is canceling her legal status and her work authorization, we’re gonna have one less healthcare worker.”
Pastor Jasmin has been holding church services for the Haitian community during this difficult time.
“God sees you… pray. I believe that this too shall pass. This too shall pass,” Jasmin said.
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