Washington, June 29: Disagreements have surfaced within the Republican Party regarding President Donald Trump’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for thousands of migrants from Haiti and Syria. While Homeland Security Secretary Mark Morgan supported the decision, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine labeled it a “wrong decision.”
During separate television interviews on Sunday, Morgan stated that TPS was never intended to be a permanent solution and was designed to provide temporary protection.
He remarked, “The purpose of Temporary Protected Status was never permanent. Beneficiaries have several options. They can apply for permanent residency or temporary visas, or they can return to their home countries. If they wish to go back, the government will assist them.”
Morgan added that returning migrants would receive nearly $2,100 in financial aid, along with airfare, to help them restart their lives in their home countries.
This statement follows a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, which allowed the Trump administration to terminate TPS for over 350,000 migrants from Haiti and Syria, despite ongoing legal challenges.
When questioned about the security situation in Haiti, Morgan explained that the government considers multiple factors when making deportation decisions.
He stated, “No country in the world is more generous than the United States, but we do not want people to exploit this system.”
Morgan also noted that travel warnings from the U.S. State Department do not necessarily reflect the conditions for citizens returning to Haiti.
He expressed hope that flights returning to Haiti would be nearly full, arguing that capable citizens must return to contribute to the reconstruction of their countries.
However, during the same program, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine openly opposed the Trump administration’s policy.
He asserted, “I believe this is a wrong decision for many reasons. Haiti is not safe at all. Anyone who has been observing the situation for a long time knows that conditions have worsened significantly.”
DeWine emphasized that sending Haitian nationals back would harm the U.S. economy.
He stated, “Those who are working daily, supporting their families, buying homes, renovating old houses, starting businesses, and establishing a strong identity in this country should not be forcibly removed. This is not in the interest of America, especially Ohio.”
He highlighted the crucial roles Haitian migrants play in sectors such as manufacturing, food production, healthcare, and nursing homes, urging the administration to reconsider this policy.
It is noteworthy that the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program was initiated by the U.S. Congress in 1990. It grants legal permission for citizens from countries affected by war, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions to live and work in the U.S. for a limited time.
Haiti has long been included in the TPS list due to political instability, gang violence, and natural disasters, while Syrian nationals have benefited from the program since the onset of the civil war.
The Trump administration contends that TPS was never intended as a pathway to permanent residency and that temporary protection should not be converted into permanent immigration status.
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