A crucial lifeline for approximately 350,000 Haitian nationals living in the United States has been preserved, at least for now. A federal judge emphatically rejected the government’s attempt to lift her order protecting them from deportation, a decision reached after a tense courtroom hearing.
The Justice Department had urgently appealed Judge Ana Reyes’ initial stay of the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians, simultaneously requesting she reverse her own ruling. However, Judge Reyes stood firm, stating she would issue a formal written order solidifying her decision before a key deadline in the ongoing appellate court case.
Her order effectively halts Homeland Security Secretary’s decision to end TPS for Haitian citizens, ensuring they retain vital protections. This includes continued work authorization and shielding them from both detention and deportation during the stay.
The hearing took a deeply personal turn when Judge Reyes addressed the intense scrutiny and hostility she has faced since issuing the protective order. She revealed her own background as an immigrant, openly acknowledging she had disclosed this information to both the President and the Senate during her confirmation process.
Judge Reyes powerfully countered questions about her qualifications, pointing out the blatant omission of her impressive academic and professional achievements. She highlighted her magna cum laude graduation from Harvard Law and her two decades of practice at a leading law firm.
But the judge’s most striking moment came when she publicly read aloud a disturbing litany of threats directed at her chambers. She unflinchingly recounted the hateful and violent language she has endured, including explicit death wishes and calls for violence.
“I don’t mind being called the C-word,” she stated, before reciting examples of the venomous emails and social media posts she’s received. One chilling message demanded she “eat a bullet,” while another called for her to be “hung.”
Judge Reyes acknowledged that many of her colleagues have also been subjected to similar threats, extending even to their families. She delivered a resolute message to those attempting to intimidate the judiciary.
“To those who would threaten judges… we will act without fear or favor,” she declared. “We will continue to do our jobs. We will not be intimidated.” Her words resonated as a powerful defense of judicial independence and a condemnation of escalating threats against public servants.
