Lawyers representing Haitian immigrants filed a motion with the Supreme Court on Tuesday seeking to dismiss the Trump administration's effort to end Temporary Protected Status for more than 330,000 Haitians living in the United States.
The filing cites newly obtained Department of Homeland Security documents that the lawyers say show the termination decision was predetermined. Career staff reportedly recommended against ending the protections, but a political appointee overruled them.
Temporary Protected Status for Haitians was first granted after the 2010 earthquake and has been extended repeatedly amid ongoing instability. The Supreme Court took the unusual step of hearing the case before lower courts completed their review.
The motion argues that incomplete discovery prevents the justices from properly evaluating claims, including allegations of racial discrimination in the revocation process. The court is expected to seek a response from the administration, with a decision anticipated by the end of June.
