A federal judge has blocked a Trump administration effort to terminate temporary protections that allow roughly 350,000 Haitians to live and work legally in the United States. The decision preserves the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for Haitian nationals who were granted refuge following natural disasters and ongoing instability in their home country.

The ruling, reported by KGW, halts a policy shift that would have affected thousands of households nationwide, including families with deep local ties in Washington State. While the precise local impact in Cowlitz County is unclear, census data show that the regional Haitian immigrant population has grown modestly in recent years through employment and family reunification programs.

Temporary Protected Status was originally extended to Haitians after the devastating 2010 earthquake. Federal officials under the Trump administration had moved to end the designation, arguing that conditions in Haiti had improved sufficiently. Advocates countered that the country continues to face serious humanitarian and political crises.

The judge’s injunction means affected individuals may retain work authorization and protection from removal while legal challenges continue. Federal agencies are expected to provide further guidance on compliance and eligibility in light of the latest ruling.