Haitian immigrants in SWFL keep work permits after court steps in | National

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WINK) — Haitian immigrants with Temporary Protected Status are getting a new update on where their legal protections stand following last month’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released updated guidance Friday clarifying that Haitian TPS beneficiaries will continue to keep their status and employment authorization under an existing federal court order.

Haiti’s TPS designation was originally set to terminate on Feb. 3. However, on Feb. 2, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued an order staying that termination while litigation continues.

Because of that court order, USCIS said Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) in categories A12 and C19 remain valid and are extended. When government agencies verify a Haitian TPS beneficiary through the SAVE system, employment authorization will be shown through July 24, 2026, with a notice stating that “TPS and employment authorization are extended per court order.”

USCIS said the relief remains in place until lower courts align with the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 25 decision in Mullin v. Doe.

Because the case remains in active litigation, USCIS said a person’s TPS status and employment authorization could change depending on future developments in the court proceedings.

The agency is encouraging government agencies that use the SAVE system to monitor the USCIS TPS Haiti webpage for updates.