September 17, 2026

Bishops urge Trump administration to end mass deportations of Haitians

WASHINGTON (OSV News)—A few weeks after Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti was terminated, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), urged the Trump administration to end mass deportations to Haiti.

In a letter to President Donald J. Trump dated Sept. 8, Archbishop Coakley wrote, “I implore you to avoid further endangering innocent human life by ceasing the deportation of large numbers of people to Haiti at this time, particularly while there is not an adequate system in place to provide for their safe and orderly reception and reintegration.

“The current approach will only contribute to the country’s already deepening crisis, undermining your own strategic objectives for the Western Hemisphere,” he said. “Please exercise your authority under the U.S. Constitution to provide deferred enforced departure for Haitians peacefully residing in the United States.”

The termination of the TPS designation for Haiti was effective on July 27. TPS for El Salvador was scheduled to expire on Sept. 9. However, the Trump administration appeared to delay that expiration, saying it would make an announcement “at the appropriate time” and until then, “Salvadoran individuals present in the U.S. under TPS retain protection.”

However, that statement left legal status for 200,000 Salvadoran immigrants uncertain, and their attorneys have said work permits have still expired.

In August, hundreds of faith leaders and organizations urged the Trump administration to extend TPS for El Salvador. †

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