Judge Defies Death Threats to Keep Protections for 350,000 Haitians

In a high-stakes confrontation between the federal judiciary and the executive branch, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes refused to lift her stay on Thursday, February 12, 2026, effectively blocking the Trump administration’s attempt to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 350,000 Haitians.

The hearing was marked by a chilling disclosure from the bench: Judge Reyes read aloud several death threats sent to her chambers, including one telling her to “eat a bullet” and others hoping she would die by “lunchtime.”

The Ruling: “Human Lives in a Democratic Society”

The Trump administration, represented by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, had argued that conditions in Haiti—originally designated for TPS after the 2010 earthquake—have improved enough to warrant termination. Judge Reyes scathingly rejected this premise, citing Noem’s own public rhetoric as evidence of “racial animus.”

• Hostility as Pretext: In her 83-page opinion, Reyes noted that Noem referred to TPS applicants as “killers, leeches, or entitlement junkies” just three days after announcing the termination.
• Irreparable Harm: The judge dismissed the government’s claim that Haitians would not be immediately targeted for removal. She argued that without her order, law-abiding individuals—including neuroscientists and nurses—would be funneled into indefinite detention.
• The Status Quo: The stay remains in effect until the D.C. Court of Appeals rules on the matter or Reyes issues a final judgment (expected by February 19).

Springfield, Ohio: A Community Under Siege

The legal battle in Washington is echoing painfully in Springfield, Ohio, home to a large Haitian population that became a focal point of the 2024 campaign.

• Bomb Threats: On February 9, 2026, just days after Reyes’s initial stay, Springfield was rocked by a new wave of bomb threats targeting schools and county offices.
• Governor’s Response: Ohio Governor Mike DeWine condemned the threats as “despicable,” noting that the emails specifically stated that “the Haitians should be out.”
• Local Resilience: Despite the threats and the legal uncertainty, local community leaders have vowed to support their neighbors. “We can breathe for a little bit,” said Rose-Thamar Joseph of the Haitian Support Center.

Current Status of TPS Designations (Feb 2026)

While Haiti has received a reprieve, the administration is moving aggressively to terminate status for other nations.

What Happens Next?

The Department of Justice has already appealed Judge Reyes’s decision to the D.C. Circuit. If the higher court lifts the stay, hundreds of thousands of Haitians could lose their work authorization and legal status overnight. For now, USCIS guidance instructs employers to treat Haiti TPS documents as valid until at least March 15, 2026, per court order.