New York Governor Kathy Hochul vowed to fight back Thursday after the Supreme Court ruled the Trump administration can end Temporary Protected Status for hundreds of thousands of Haitians and Syrians. Blue state leaders across the country accused the court of endorsing cruelty.

The 6-3 ruling in Mullin v. Doe held that the president has virtually unrestrained power to terminate the TPS program. Justice Samuel Alito wrote that Congress explicitly barred courts from reviewing decisions to extend or end protected status.

350,000 Haitians Face Deportation

Without TPS protections, approximately 350,000 Haitians and 6,100 Syrians who have lived legally in the United States face potential deportation. Many have been in the country for years, building lives and careers under the assumption their status would continue.

Hochul posted on social media that "hundreds of thousands of Haitians who came here legally learned today that the Trump administration will not stop its attacks on them."

The decision drew sharp criticism from Rep. Mike Lawler, a Republican from New York who represents a district with a significant Haitian population. Lawler noted that about one third of Haitians with TPS work in healthcare. "Immediately shutting off TPS will create a crisis in our hospitals, nursing homes, and in the I/DD community," he warned.

The Administration's Case

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem determined that "there are no extraordinary and temporary conditions in Haiti that prevent Haitian nationals from returning in safety." The administration made a similar finding regarding Syria.

Lawler and other critics pointed to the State Department's own Level 4 travel advisory for Haiti, the highest warning level, as evidence that conditions remain dangerous. Haiti has been consumed by gang violence for years with no functioning government able to restore order.

The administration's position is that TPS was always meant to be temporary. The "T" stands for temporary. Successive administrations from both parties extended protections that were never intended to become permanent residency by another name.

Liberal Justices Dissent

The court's three liberal justices argued the administration failed to properly evaluate conditions in Haiti and Syria before terminating protections. They accused the majority of rubber-stamping a flawed process.

Immigration advocates promised continued legal challenges at lower levels. "It's a very sad day, not only for Haitian TPS holders but for anyone who believes, as we do, that immigrants are one of America's greatest strengths," said attorneys representing affected individuals.

The ruling, combined with Thursday's asylum decision, represents a significant expansion of executive power over immigration policy. Blue state leaders may rage against the outcome, but the Supreme Court has made clear the president holds the cards on these issues.