New York Attorney General Letitia James called it "a betrayal of our values." Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey expressed "outrage." And Ohio Governor Mike DeWine—a Republican—warned that over 10,000 Haitians in his state "will now be here illegally and will be subject to immediate deportation."

The Supreme Court's 6-3 ruling in Mullin v. Doe on Wednesday allows the Trump administration to terminate Temporary Protected Status for approximately 350,000 Haitians and 6,100 Syrians, ending deportation protections that have allowed them to live and work legally in the United States for years.

What the Court Ruled

The conservative majority held that TPS holders cannot turn to federal courts to postpone revocation of their legal status while challenging the administration's policies. The decision overturned lower court orders from judges in New York and Washington D.C. that had blocked the terminations.

Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented. The ruling leaves TPS holders vulnerable to deportation even if they have pending applications for other immigration status—a scenario affecting thousands who have put down roots, bought homes, and started businesses during their years in the country.

Democratic Leaders Condemn the Decision

Blue state officials moved quickly to denounce the ruling and promise protective measures for immigrant communities.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced "sensitive locations" policies to block ICE from conducting enforcement at schools, hospitals, courthouses, and places of worship. She joined Attorney General James and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani at a press conference with the 1199SEIU union to address immigrant workers' concerns.

In Massachusetts, Governor Healey voiced "outrage" alongside Boston Mayor Michelle Wu at a joint briefing. "While we can't control the federal administration, we can control how Massachusetts shows up," Healey said, expressing concerns about economic and healthcare impacts.

A Republican Dissenter

Governor DeWine of Ohio emerged as one of the few Republican voices criticizing the ruling. Springfield, Ohio—home to most of the state's estimated 10,000 Haitian TPS holders—has seen its economy transformed by immigrant labor filling manufacturing and logistics jobs amid nationwide labor shortages.

What Happens Next

The Department of Homeland Security has signaled no grace period for affected TPS holders. Recipients have been told to leave voluntarily or face arrest and deportation. They will also lose their work permits, potentially creating chaos for employers who have come to rely on TPS workers.

The ruling has broader implications as well. About a dozen countries currently have TPS designations, and a 2025 ruling already stripped protections from more than 300,000 Venezuelans. Immigration attorneys warn Wednesday's decision opens the door for the administration to terminate additional TPS programs without meaningful judicial review.

For the 350,000 Haitians affected—many of whom have lived in the United States for over a decade—the ruling means an abrupt end to the legal status they thought they had secured.