Haitian migrants face ankle monitoring as US phases out TPS

Hundreds of Haitian immigrants with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in the United States have reportedly been ordered to attend in-person appointments with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with some individuals being fitted with ankle monitors during the process.

The development, first reported by ABC News and cited by immigration advocates, is taking place in the state of Ohio and follows recent legal and policy changes affecting Haitian nationals living in the United States.

According to the report, the move comes after the US Supreme Court ruled in June that the Trump administration could proceed with ending Temporary Protected Status for approximately 350,000 Haitians as part of its broader immigration enforcement agenda.

Sources told ABC News that "Haitians with TPS, regardless of whether they have a pending asylum claim, have gotten a 'DHS Call-In Letter' to appear at ICE offices in person." Some individuals have reportedly been fitted with ankle monitors and issued future court dates.

Temporary Protected Status, established under the Immigration and Nationality Act, allows eligible nationals of designated countries to live and work in the United States while being protected from deportation when conditions in their home country are considered unsafe due to armed conflict, natural disasters or other extraordinary temporary circumstances.

Responding to the reports, a spokesperson for the United States Department of Homeland Security defended the administration's approach.

“Temporary Protected Status is exactly that -- temporary. For too long, TPS has been allowed to function as a de facto amnesty program despite Congress never intending it to be permanent.”

The spokesperson added: “What we would say now is it's closing time, which means you don't have to go home, but you can't stay here.”

Immigration advocacy organizations told ABC News that the policy changes have already affected many TPS recipients. While some have reportedly lost their work authorization, others with pending asylum applications continue to hold valid work permits under separate legal protections.

By Nazrin Sadigova