New York Attorney General Letitia James has joined a group of 17 attorneys general in efforts to maintain Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian immigrants in the United States. The coalition filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in support of a lawsuit challenging the Department of Homeland Security’s plan to terminate TPS for more than 350,000 Haitians, many of whom have lived in the U.S. for an extended period.
Attorney General Letitia James noted that Haitian immigrants work in schools, hospitals, and small businesses across New York. The legal challenge addresses potential disruptions to the lives of TPS holders and highlights possible effects on local economies and health systems. According to the Attorney General’s office, ending TPS could affect approximately 87,000 U.S. citizen children and 116,000 U.S. citizen adults who have family members with TPS.
Ending TPS would affect thousands of work permits and could have economic consequences at the state level. Haitian TPS holders in New York contribute over $140 million annually in state and local taxes. Without legal status, many Haitian immigrants might avoid necessary medical care due to concerns about immigration enforcement at healthcare facilities.
The coalition has asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to uphold the district court’s injunction blocking the Department of Homeland Security’s plan to end TPS for Haitians while the case proceeds. The group includes attorneys general from multiple states, including California, Connecticut, and Delaware, who joined Letitia James in filing the brief. Throughout 2025, Letitia James has participated in efforts aimed at protecting the legal status of TPS holders.
