MIAMI — The protests have been loud and emotional in recent weeks, and now, a federal judge has stepped in, ordering that roughly 350,000 Haitians can stay in the U.S. legally, at least for now.

Leer en español

“I’m super excited, I’m overfilled with joy and it’s like taking a breath of fresh air,” a woman named Norah told Local 10 News.

Norah left Haiti at just 4 years old, and has built her entire life in South Florida.

She’s now 30 and has a master’s degree in civil engineering, but she still faced possible deportation under the TPS deadline that was set to expire Tuesday night.

“You build a life here and then for the possibility of almost starting over in a place that you have no idea — it’s almost daunting,” Norah said.

The judge’s order temporarily rules in favor of those challenging the termination, stating in part, “During the stay, the termination shall be null, void, and of no legal effect.

“The termination therefore does not affect the protections and benefits previously conferred by the TPS designation, including work authorization and protection from detention and deportation.”

“The next step is very likely that the government will appeal, and we are hoping for a good outcome on the appellate level as well,” Frandly Julien, of the Haitian Lawyers Association Board, said.

Tens of thousands of Haitian TPS workers live in South Florida, and had the judge not stepped in, their work permits would have been revoked -- a move local leaders say would have had an immediate economic impact.

“Twenty percent of TPS recipients work in the healthcare sector. We’re talking about nurses, nursing assistants, medical assistants, home health aides,” Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins said.

TPS for Haitians has been granted and extended repeatedly since the devastating earthquake in 2010, and as of Tuesday, the State Department still has a “Level 4” do not travel advisory for Haiti, citing violence and dangerous gang activity.

“It’s kind of like an oxymoron,” Norah said. “You say the situation is better, then actually cancel people from traveling to that country.”

Here is what some lawmakers from South Florida had to say about the judge’s ruling:

Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.