SPRINGFIELD — Nobody can take action to detain or deport any member of the Haitian community in the Miami Valley after a ruling from a federal judge.
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An estimated 15,000 Haitian refugees settled in Springfield when they received Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
The TPS was scheduled to end tonight until a decision by a federal judge in Washington, D.C., which freezes the TPS in place.
“The argument is that they didn’t followthe typical procedures before making this decision to terminate temporary protected status,” UD Immigration Law Professor Ericka Curran said.
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She said lawyers for the five Haitian plaintiffs in this case claim that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem violated executive branch administrative law and fifth ammendmenent provisions of due process of the law.
“They’re saying that they didn’t get the proper process, they didn’t have the proper documentation to show that ending this temporary status was warranted, based on the country’s conditions,” Curran said.
The bottom line is that Haitians in the Miami Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem have more time before any immigration enforcement could be directed toward them.
Springfield Mayor Rob weighed in on the decision Tuesday.
“This ruling provides clarity and stability for families who are already part of our community,” Rue said in a statement. “It reflects the reality that many individuals are working, paying taxes, raising families, and contributing every day to the life of our city.”
Every 18 months, the temporary protective status has to be re-authorized.
Curran said the Trump administration already claimed the Federal District Court didn’t have jurisdiction over this case.
She’s sure this initial decision will be appealed, and the government will claim that this was delegated to the agency by Congress and not a political decision.
This decision gives the Haitians who are still here temporary relief, but Curran believes it will only last a couple of months before a final decision can be made.
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