The U.S. Supreme Court has cleared the way for the Trump administration to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for hundreds of thousands of Haitian nationals, a decision that has drawn an unexpected public rebuke from within President Donald Trump's own party. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican, voiced his disagreement with the policy shift during an appearance on CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday, June 28, 2026, even while acknowledging the administration's legal authority in the matter.
"It is not in the United States's interest, certainly not in Ohio's interest, to have people who are working every single day, who are supporting a family, who are buying houses, fixing up old houses…" — Mike DeWine, Ohio Governor
The contentious immigration policy centers on the TPS program, which grants eligible foreign nationals from countries experiencing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or other extraordinary conditions the ability to live and work lawfully in the United States on a renewable basis. Haiti was first designated for TPS following a catastrophic earthquake in 2010 that devastated the island nation, killing hundreds of thousands and displacing millions. The program has since been renewed multiple times, allowing Haitians to rebuild lives in the U.S. while conditions in their home country remained unstable.
Governor DeWine's objection focused not on the legal merits of the Supreme Court's ruling, which he accepted, but on the current humanitarian and security conditions in Haiti. He described the nation's instability in stark terms, noting that air travel into the capital remains "effectively impossible" due to widespread violence. DeWine specifically referenced a recent incident where schoolchildren were killed in crossfire between rival gangs, stating, "Just this last week, several more schoolchildren were killed just because gangs were shooting back and forth. Gangs control a significant part of Haiti."
The governor's long-standing connection to Haiti, spanning decades of charitable work with his wife, informed his perspective. He argued that the current situation in Haiti makes repatriation unsafe and unwise. Beyond humanitarian concerns, DeWine also highlighted the economic impact, particularly in Ohio, where more than 10,000 Haitian TPS holders reside, with a significant population in Springfield. Nationally, government figures estimate approximately 350,000 Haitians hold TPS. DeWine asserted that these individuals are filling vital labor roles. "I would hope the Trump administration would reconsider," he said. "These are jobs that are being filled by Haitians who are filling jobs that would not be filled any other way." He further elaborated on the economic contribution in a tweet, stating, "It is not in the United States's interest, certainly not in Ohio's interest, to have people who are working every single day, who are supporting a family, who are buying houses, fixing up old houses…"
The Supreme Court's ruling last week found that the statute governing TPS limits judicial review of executive branch decisions to end a country's designation, effectively shielding the administration's action from further legal challenges. The justices also dismissed arguments that the decision was procedurally flawed or driven by racial bias, which critics had alleged, pointing to past inflammatory remarks made by President Trump about Haitian immigrants. Writing for the majority, Justice Samuel Alito concluded that the President's remarks were not "overtly racial" and expressed "policy views that could rest on race-neutral justifications."
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, appearing on the same program, defended the administration's decision and outlined the transition plan for affected Haitians. Mullin emphasized that TPS was always intended as a temporary measure, not a pathway to permanent residency. He stated that alternative legal avenues have always been available to recipients. "The whole time these individuals have been here underneath the Temporary Protected Status, they could have applied for a visa. They could have applied for LPR [Lawful Permanent Resident]," Mullin said.
Secretary Mullin presented three options for Haitians whose TPS status will end: applying for permanent residence, applying for a temporary visa, or voluntarily returning to Haiti. For those choosing the latter, the administration is offering a cash incentive of approximately $2,100 per individual to assist with repatriation. The administration maintains that the program's temporary nature has been fulfilled and that it is now time to normalize immigration status in accordance with U.S. law. The differing viewpoints highlight a significant policy debate within the Republican party regarding immigration, humanitarian concerns, and economic necessity.
