Markwayne Mullin, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, clarified the Trump administration's position on the deportation of Haitian immigrants who are no longer protected by the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program. This clarification followed remarks he made on CNN's State of the Union, which suggested that some Haitians could remain in the U.S.
During an interview with Jake Tapper, Mullin defended the decision to end TPS for Haitian and Syrian immigrants after the Supreme Court ruled that the secretary's decision to terminate TPS for a country cannot be legally challenged. He stated, "Temporary Protected Status was never intended to be permanent," and noted that individuals affected by the ruling have options to apply for permanent residency, temporary visas, or return to their home country.
Mullin's comments were interpreted by some as a departure from the Trump administration's previous commitment to aggressive immigration enforcement. In response to criticism, he reiterated on social media that individuals in the U.S. without legal status have two choices: accept a stipend and a flight home or face deportation.
When asked about the 350,000 Haitian immigrants currently under TPS, Mullin indicated that their ability to remain in the U.S. legally would depend on their qualifications for permanent status or visas. He emphasized that individuals with criminal backgrounds or those relying on social welfare would not be eligible for such programs, while those who have been employed full-time might qualify, provided they follow the necessary legal processes.
Mullin, who was confirmed by the Senate in March, is overseeing the Trump administration's immigration policies, which include the deportation of individuals who entered the U.S. during President Biden's administration.