Mullin reaffirms Haitian deportation stance after apparent backtrack
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin clarified the Trump governance’s position on Haitian immigrants’ Temporary Protected Status (TPS). After suggesting on CNN that they might stay in the U.S., Mullin explained that TPS is temporary and emphasized that individuals without legal status are considered illegally present. They have options to seek permanent residence, temporary visas, or return to their home countries, with assistance provided for the latter.Mullin reaffirmed that TPS was never meant to be permanent and noted that some migrants who overstayed visas could apply for different statuses if eligible. He also emphasized that those with criminal backgrounds or who rely on social welfare are unlikely to qualify for other immigration programs. Mullin’s comments drew criticism from some political figures and media, who viewed them as a shift from previous promises of aggressive immigration enforcement.Mullin responded via social media,stressing that illegal aliens must either accept voluntary departure or face removal,underscoring the temporary nature of TPS and the administration’s focus on deportations.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin clarified the Trump administration’s stance on deporting Haitian immigrants no longer protected by the Temporary Protected Status program on Sunday night after a statement he made on CNN’s State of the Union suggested they could stay in the U.S.
While speaking with Jake Tapper on Sunday morning, Mullin defended the Trump administration’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitian and Syrian immigrants after the Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that the secretary’s choice to end a particular country’s TPS cannot be legally challenged.
Recommended Stories
“Temporary Protected Status was never intended to be permanent, and there’s a lot of people who came here 15, 20 years ago, underneath TPS that’s already changed their status,” Mullin said before explaining how immigrants affected by the ruling can remain in the U.S.
“These individuals have a couple of choices. They can try to apply for a permanent residence here, they can apply for a temporary visa if they choose to, or they can choose to go back, and if they want to go back, we’ll help them with that.”
Mullin’s words were interpreted by some as representing him moving away from a previous promise of the Trump administration to carry out “the largest and most aggressive immigration enforcement effort in American history.”
Former Border Patrol Commander at Large Gregory Bovino said on X “I guess Republicans want to lose the midterms… Promising mass deportations won big” while Fox News host Laura Ingraham said “This is not what we voted for.”
Mullin responded to the backlash in an X post Sunday night, clarifying, “If you are in the country without status, you are here illegally. Illegal aliens have two choices — they can either accept a $2,600 stipend and a flight home to self deport, or they will be removed.”
When asked if the 350,000 Haitian immigrants who currently still have TPS can stay in the U.S. legally if they start applying for permanent status or visas, Mullin said it depends “on if they qualify or not.”
“Underneath some visas, when you overstay your visa, you have to go back to the country you came from,” Mullin said. “Underneath TPS, while it is still in order, you’re able to apply for a different status.”
Mullin explained that individuals with a criminal background or those living off of social welfare won’t be accepted to such programs, but “underneath some circumstances,” individuals who have been in the U.S. working a full-time job would, though they must go through “the regular steps that every other immigrant who wants to come to the country legally has to go through.”
TPS is a temporary immigration status granted to eligible nationals of a designated country who cannot return home safely due to an ongoing conflict, environmental disaster, or extraordinary conditions.
SUPREME COURT ALLOWS TRUMP TO END TPS FOR HAITI AND SYRIA
Mullin was confirmed by the Senate in late March after Trump fired former Secretary Kristi Noem. He has been tasked with overseeing one of the Trump administration’s core domestic objectives: deporting millions of illegal immigrants who came into the U.S. during former President Joe Biden’s four years in office.
“If I’m talking directly to the individuals with the temporary protective status,” Mullin said. “Either try to fill out the paperwork and be here underneath a permanent status, or we’ll help you get back to your country.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
