Case: Haitian Americans United Inc. v. Trump

1:25-cv-10498 | U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

Filed Date: March 3, 2025

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

This case challenges the Trump administration's efforts to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian and Venezuelan immigrants, potentially uprooting thousands who fled dangerous conditions in their home countries. TPS is a humanitarian program established in 1990 to offer temporary refuge and work authorization in the U.S. for immigrants fleeing their home countries due to dangers like violence, political upheaval, or natural disasters. The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security designates countries for TPS based on specific statutory criteria, with designations subject to review, extension, and termination according to defined procedures. Haiti has been designated under TPS since 2010 and Venezuela since 2021. President Trump, however, has long denigrated Haitian and Venezuelan immigrants, resulting in his administration “vacating” TPS extensions that had already been granted to those countries. Then, based on the “vacatur” of Venezuela’s extension, it proceeded swiftly to announce that TPS would be terminated for that country entirely, effective April 7, 2025.

On March 3, 2025, Haitian-Americans United Inc.; Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts; UndocuBlack Network, Inc.; Sydney Doe; Marlene Doe; Gustavo Doe; and Natalia Doe filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. They sued President Donald Trump and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Represented by Lawyers for Civil Rights, the plaintiffs sought declaratory judgments, a preliminary and permanent injunction, attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses, and other appropriate relief. This case was assigned to Judge Richard G. Stearns.

The plaintiffs claimed that the government’s actions violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, specifically the Equal Protection principles, and were ultra vires (beyond the Secretary's statutory authority). The basis of their claim is that the Secretary of DHS lacked the statutory authority to rescind previously granted TPS extensions and that the decisions to terminate TPS were arbitrary, capricious, motivated by racial bias, and improper political influence.

Subsequently, on March 6, 2025, the plaintiffs filed a motion under 5 U.S.C. § 705 to stay the effective date of DHS’ Venezuela and Haiti Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Vacaturs and 2025 Venezuela Termination. They argued that the court has the authority under the APA to postpone the effective date of an agency action pending review to prevent irreparable injury. They contended that they have a strong likelihood of success on the merits of their claims, arguing that DHS has no statutory authority to "vacate" TPS extensions already granted and that the Venezuela termination was improper because it predates the original expiration date of the extension. The plaintiffs also asserted a strong likelihood of success on their Equal Protection claim, citing numerous public statements by the defendants that allegedly evince racial bias against Haitian and Venezuelan immigrants. They further argued that irreparable harm would result if the stay was not granted, including the risk of deportation, family separation, and loss of work authorization for TPS holders. Finally, they maintained that the balance of harms and public interest favored delaying the effective date of the challenged actions. The Plaintiffs requested a universal stay applicable nationwide.

A hearing on this motion is scheduled for April 1, 2025. The case is ongoing.

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Summary Authors

Aanvi Jhaveri (3/18/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69696873/parties/haitian-americans-united-inc-v-trump/

Judge(s)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Albert, Mirian (Massachusetts)

Espinoza-Madrigal, Ivan (Massachusetts)

Attorney for Defendant

Bryant, Lauren (Massachusetts)

Dichter, Anna (Massachusetts)

Hartman, Jeffrey Michael (Massachusetts)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Judge(s)

Stearns, Richard Gaylore (Massachusetts)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Albert, Mirian (Massachusetts)

Espinoza-Madrigal, Ivan (Massachusetts)

Miranda, Victoria Shauntell (Massachusetts)

Sellstrom, Oren M. (Massachusetts)

Attorney for Defendant

Bryant, Lauren (Massachusetts)

Dichter, Anna (Massachusetts)

Hartman, Jeffrey Michael (Massachusetts)

Restrepo, Luz (Massachusetts)

Sady, Michael P. (Massachusetts)

Saylor, Amanda (Massachusetts)

Snyderman, Eric Michael (Massachusetts)

Vuong, Sarah L. (Massachusetts)

Weiland, William (Massachusetts)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Vail, Hannah C. (Massachusetts)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

	Document
1 1:25-cv-10498	Complaint	March 3, 2025	March 3, 2025 Complaint

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Resources

Title	Description		External URL Date / External URL
Partial Vacatur of 2024 Temporary Protected Status Decision for Haiti U.S. Department of Homeland Security	Partially vacating the extension of the Haiti 2024 Temporary Protected Status designation, by reducing the designation period from 18 months to 12 months.	Feb. 24, 2025	Feb. 24, 2025 https://www.federalregister.gov/...
Termination of the October 3, 2023 Designation of Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status	Terminating the October 3, 2025 designation of Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status, effective April 7, 2025.	Feb. 5, 2025	Feb. 5, 2025 https://www.federalregister.gov/...
Vacatur of 2025 Temporary Protected Status Decision for Venezuela U.S. Department of Homeland Security	Vacating the extension of the Venezuela 2023 Temporary Protected Status designation.	Feb. 3, 2025	Feb. 3, 2025 https://www.federalregister.gov/...

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69696873/haitian-americans-united-inc-v-trump/

Last updated April 21, 2025, 3:23 p.m.

ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
1	COMPLAINT against Kristi Noem, Donald J. Trump, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Filing fee: $ 405, receipt number AMADC-10866627 (Fee Status: Filing Fee paid), filed by Haitian Americans United Inc., Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts, UndocuBlack Network Inc., Sydney Doe, Marlene Doe, Gustavo Doe, Natalia Doe. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Category Form, # 3 Exhibit A, # 4 Exhibit B, # 5 Exhibit C)(Albert, Mirian) (Entered: 03/03/2025) 1 Civil Cover Sheet View on PACER 2 Category Form View on PACER 3 Exhibit A View on RECAP 4 Exhibit B View on RECAP 5 Exhibit C View on RECAP	March 3, 2025	March 3, 2025 Clearinghouse
	Notice of Case Assignment	March 3, 2025	March 3, 2025 PACER
2	MOTION Proceed Pseudonymously by Haitian Americans United Inc., Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts, UndocuBlack Network Inc., Sydney Doe, Marlene Doe, Gustavo Doe, Natalia Doe.(Albert, Mirian) (Entered: 03/03/2025)	March 3, 2025	March 3, 2025 RECAP
3	NOTICE of Appearance by Ivan Espinoza-Madrigal on behalf of Haitian Americans United Inc., Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts, UndocuBlack Network Inc., Sydney Doe, Marlene Doe, Gustavo Doe, Natalia Doe (Espinoza-Madrigal, Ivan) (Entered: 03/03/2025)	March 3, 2025	March 3, 2025 RECAP
4	ELECTRONIC NOTICE of Case Assignment. Judge Richard G. Stearns assigned to case. If the trial Judge issues an Order of Reference of any matter in this case to a Magistrate Judge, the matter will be transmitted to Magistrate Judge Donald L. Cabell. (JAM) (Entered: 03/03/2025)	March 3, 2025	March 3, 2025 PACER
5	NOTICE of Appearance by Mirian Albert on behalf of Haitian Americans United Inc., Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts, UndocuBlack Network Inc., Sydney Doe, Marlene Doe, Gustavo Doe, Natalia Doe (Albert, Mirian) (Entered: 03/03/2025)	March 3, 2025	March 3, 2025 RECAP
6	Summons Issued as to Kristi Noem, Donald J. Trump, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Counsel receiving this notice electronically should download this summons, complete one for each defendant and serve it in accordance with Fed.R.Civ.P. 4 and LR 4.1. Summons will be mailed to plaintiff(s) not receiving notice electronically for completion of service. (FGD) (Entered: 03/03/2025)	March 3, 2025	March 3, 2025 RECAP
7	Judge Richard G. Stearns: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 2 Motion.The court finds this to be the type of "exceptional" case warranting litigation by pseudonym. See Doe v. Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., 46 F.4th 61, 71 (1st Cir. 2022). Plaintiffs convincingly argue that "coming out of the shadows will cause [them] unusually severe harm," and given that threat of harm, "anonymity is necessary to forestall a chilling effect on future litigants who may be similarly situated." Id. Plaintiffs thus may proceed under a pseudonym and redact any personally identifying information from public versions of documents. (RGS, law3) (Entered: 03/04/2025)	March 4, 2025	March 4, 2025 PACER
	Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief	March 4, 2025	March 4, 2025 PACER
8	NOTICE of Appearance by Anna Dichter on behalf of Kristi Noem, Donald J. Trump, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Dichter, Anna) (Entered: 03/05/2025)	March 5, 2025	March 5, 2025 RECAP
9	MOTION to Stay the Effective Date of Agency Action by Haitian Americans United Inc., Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts, UndocuBlack Network Inc., Sydney Doe, Marlene Doe, Gustavo Doe, Natalia Doe.(Albert, Mirian) (Entered: 03/06/2025)	March 6, 2025	March 6, 2025 RECAP
10	MEMORANDUM in Support re 9 MOTION to Stay the Effective Date of Agency Action filed by Haitian Americans United Inc., Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts, UndocuBlack Network Inc., Sydney Doe, Marlene Doe, Gustavo Doe, Natalia Doe. (Attachments: # 1 Fleurissaint Declaration, # 2 Gustavo Declaration, # 3 Lawrence Declaration, # 4 Marlene Declaration, # 5 Natalia Declaration, # 6 Sydney Declaration, # 7 Velasquez Declaration)(Albert, Mirian) (Entered: 03/06/2025) 1 Fleurissaint Declaration View on RECAP 2 Gustavo Declaration View on RECAP 3 Lawrence Declaration View on RECAP 4 Marlene Declaration View on RECAP 5 Natalia Declaration View on RECAP 6 Sydney Declaration View on RECAP 7 Velasquez Declaration View on RECAP	March 6, 2025	March 6, 2025 RECAP
11	DECLARATION re 9 MOTION to Stay the Effective Date of Agency Action by Haitian Americans United Inc., Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts, UndocuBlack Network Inc., Sydney Doe, Marlene Doe, Gustavo Doe, Natalia Doe. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3, # 4 Exhibit 4, # 5 Exhibit 5, # 6 Exhibit 6, # 7 Exhibit 7, # 8 Exhibit 8, # 9 Exhibit 9, # 10 Exhibit 10, # 11 Exhibit 11, # 12 Exhibit 12, # 13 Exhibit 13, # 14 Exhibit 14, # 15 Exhibit 15, # 16 Exhibit 16, # 17 Exhibit 17, # 18 Exhibit 18, # 19 Exhibit 19, # 20 Exhibit 20, # 21 Exhibit 21, # 22 Exhibit 22, # 23 Exhibit 23, # 24 Exhibit 24, # 25 Exhibit 25, # 26 Exhibit 26, # 27 Exhibit 27, # 28 Exhibit 28, # 29 Exhibit 29, # 30 Exhibit 30)(Albert, Mirian) (Entered: 03/06/2025) 1 Exhibit 1 View on RECAP 2 Exhibit 2 View on RECAP 3 Exhibit 3 View on RECAP 4 Exhibit 4 View on RECAP 5 Exhibit 5 View on RECAP 6 Exhibit 6 View on RECAP 7 Exhibit 7 View on RECAP 8 Exhibit 8 View on RECAP 9 Exhibit 9 View on RECAP 10 Exhibit 10 View on RECAP 11 Exhibit 11 View on RECAP 12 Exhibit 12 View on RECAP 13 Exhibit 13 View on RECAP 14 Exhibit 14 View on RECAP 15 Exhibit 15 View on RECAP 16 Exhibit 16 View on RECAP 17 Exhibit 17 View on RECAP 18 Exhibit 18 View on RECAP 19 Exhibit 19 View on RECAP 20 Exhibit 20 View on RECAP 21 Exhibit 21 View on RECAP 22 Exhibit 22 View on RECAP 23 Exhibit 23 View on RECAP 24 Exhibit 24 View on RECAP 25 Exhibit 25 View on RECAP 26 Exhibit 26 View on RECAP 27 Exhibit 27 View on RECAP 28 Exhibit 28 View on RECAP 29 Exhibit 29 View on RECAP 30 Exhibit 30 View on RECAP	March 6, 2025	March 6, 2025 RECAP
12	NOTICE of Appearance by William Weiland on behalf of Kristi Noem, Donald J. Trump, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Weiland, William) (Entered: 03/06/2025)	March 6, 2025	March 6, 2025 RECAP
13	ELECTRONIC NOTICE Setting Hearing on Motion 9 MOTION to Stay the Effective Date of Agency Action : Motion Hearing set for 3/25/2025 03:00 PM in Courtroom 21 (In person only) before Judge Richard G. Stearns. (TRM) (Entered: 03/10/2025)	March 10, 2025	March 10, 2025 PACER
	Notice Setting or Resetting Hearing on Motion	March 10, 2025	March 10, 2025 PACER
14	NOTICE of Appearance by Sarah L. Vuong on behalf of Kristi Noem, Donald J. Trump, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Vuong, Sarah) (Entered: 03/10/2025)	March 10, 2025	March 10, 2025 PACER
15	NOTICE by Haitian Americans United Inc., Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts, UndocuBlack Network Inc., Sydney Doe, Marlene Doe, Gustavo Doe, Natalia Doe (Albert, Mirian) (Entered: 03/11/2025)	March 11, 2025	March 11, 2025 RECAP
	Notice Cancelling Hearing	March 11, 2025	March 11, 2025 PACER
16	NOTICE of Appearance by Eric Michael Snyderman on behalf of Kristi Noem, Donald J. Trump, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Snyderman, Eric) (Entered: 03/11/2025)	March 11, 2025	March 11, 2025 RECAP
17	ELECTRONIC NOTICE Canceling Hearing. Motion Hearing set for 3/25/2025 03:00 PM in Courtroom 21 (In person only) before Judge Richard G. Stearns is CANCELED. In deference to the scheduled hearing in the Northern District of California action, which predates this action, the court will postpone the hearing to a date to be announced. (TRM) (Entered: 03/11/2025)	March 11, 2025	March 11, 2025 PACER
18	NOTICE of Appearance by Michael P. Sady on behalf of U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Sady, Michael) (Entered: 03/11/2025)	March 11, 2025	March 11, 2025 RECAP
19	MOTION for Hearing Date Prior to April 2, 2025 by Haitian Americans United Inc., Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts, UndocuBlack Network Inc., Sydney Doe, Marlene Doe, Gustavo Doe, Natalia Doe.(Albert, Mirian) (Entered: 03/13/2025)	March 13, 2025	March 13, 2025 RECAP
20	NOTICE of Appearance by Oren M. Sellstrom on behalf of Haitian Americans United Inc., Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts, UndocuBlack Network Inc., Sydney Doe, Marlene Doe, Gustavo Doe, Natalia Doe (Sellstrom, Oren) (Entered: 03/13/2025)	March 13, 2025	March 13, 2025 RECAP
21	RESPONSE to Motion re 19 MOTION for Hearing Date Prior to April 2, 2025 filed by Kristi Noem, Donald J. Trump, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (Vuong, Sarah) (Entered: 03/14/2025)	March 14, 2025	March 14, 2025 RECAP
22	ELECTRONIC NOTICE Setting Hearing on Motion 9 MOTION to Stay the Effective Date of Agency Action : Motion Hearing set for 4/1/2025 10:00 AM in Courtroom 21 (In person only) before Judge Richard G. Stearns. (TRM) (Entered: 03/18/2025)	March 18, 2025	March 18, 2025 PACER
	Order on Motion for Hearing	March 18, 2025	March 18, 2025 PACER
	Notice Setting or Resetting Hearing on Motion	March 18, 2025	March 18, 2025 PACER
	Order on Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages	March 18, 2025	March 18, 2025 PACER
23	Judge Richard G. Stearns: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 19 Motion for Hearing. The court has rescheduled the hearing for April 1, 2025. (RGS, law3) (Entered: 03/18/2025)	March 18, 2025	March 18, 2025 PACER
24	Assented to MOTION for Leave to File Excess Pages and Leave for Plaintiffs to file a Reply by Kristi Noem, Donald J. Trump, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.(Dichter, Anna) (Entered: 03/18/2025)	March 18, 2025	March 18, 2025 RECAP
25	Judge Richard G. Stearns: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 24 Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages. Defendants may file an opposition of no more than 29 pages by March 20, 2025. Plaintiffs may file a reply of no more than 20 pages by March 27, 2025. (RGS, law3) (Entered: 03/18/2025)	March 18, 2025	March 18, 2025 PACER
26	NOTICE of Appearance by Jeffrey Michael Hartman on behalf of Kristi Noem, Donald J. Trump, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Hartman, Jeffrey) (Entered: 03/19/2025)	March 19, 2025	March 19, 2025 PACER
27	NOTICE of Appearance by Luz Restrepo on behalf of Kristi Noem, Donald J. Trump, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Restrepo, Luz) (Entered: 03/19/2025)	March 19, 2025	March 19, 2025 PACER
28	Opposition re 9 MOTION to Stay the Effective Date of Agency Action filed by Kristi Noem, Donald J. Trump, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (Dichter, Anna) (Entered: 03/20/2025)	March 20, 2025	March 20, 2025 RECAP
29	NOTICE of Appearance by Victoria Shauntell Miranda on behalf of Haitian Americans United Inc., Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts, UndocuBlack Network Inc., Sydney Doe, Marlene Doe, Gustavo Doe, Natalia Doe (Miranda, Victoria) (Entered: 03/24/2025)	March 24, 2025	March 24, 2025 PACER
30	MOTION for Leave to File Brief of Amici Curiae States by COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Proposed Brief of Amici States)(Vail, Hannah) (Entered: 03/25/2025)	March 25, 2025	March 25, 2025 RECAP
31	NOTICE of Appearance by Hannah C. Vail on behalf of COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS (Vail, Hannah) (Entered: 03/25/2025)	March 25, 2025	March 25, 2025 PACER
32	Judge Richard G. Stearns: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 30 Motion for Leave to File Brief of Amici Curiae States (JAM) (Entered: 03/26/2025)	March 26, 2025	March 26, 2025 PACER
	Order on Motion for Leave to File Document	March 26, 2025	March 26, 2025 PACER
33	AMICUS BRIEF filed by Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (JAM) (Entered: 03/26/2025)	March 26, 2025	March 26, 2025 RECAP
34	NOTICE of Appearance by Lauren Bryant on behalf of Kristi Noem, Donald J. Trump, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Bryant, Lauren) (Entered: 03/27/2025)	March 27, 2025	March 27, 2025 PACER
35	REPLY to Response to 9 MOTION to Stay the Effective Date of Agency Action filed by Haitian Americans United Inc., Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts, UndocuBlack Network Inc., Sydney Doe, Marlene Doe, Gustavo Doe, Natalia Doe. (Attachments: # 1 Supplemental Albert Dec., # 2 Exhibit A, # 3 Exhibit B)(Albert, Mirian) (Entered: 03/27/2025)	March 27, 2025	March 27, 2025 RECAP
36	NOTICE of Appearance by Amanda Saylor on behalf of Kristi Noem, Donald J. Trump, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Saylor, Amanda) (Entered: 03/28/2025)	March 28, 2025	March 28, 2025 PACER
37	AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE Executed by Gustavo Doe, UndocuBlack Network Inc., Natalia Doe, Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts, Haitian Americans United Inc., Sydney Doe, Marlene Doe. Kristi Noem served on 3/10/2025, answer due 3/31/2025; Donald J. Trump served on 3/10/2025, answer due 3/31/2025; U.S. Department of Homeland Security served on 3/10/2025, answer due 3/31/2025. Acknowledgement filed by Gustavo Doe; UndocuBlack Network Inc.; Natalia Doe; Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts; Haitian Americans United Inc.; Sydney Doe; Marlene Doe. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Albert, Mirian) (Entered: 03/31/2025)	March 31, 2025	March 31, 2025 RECAP
38	Notice of Supplemental Authorities re 9 MOTION to Stay the Effective Date of Agency Action (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Albert, Mirian) (Entered: 04/01/2025)	April 1, 2025	April 1, 2025 RECAP
	Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief	April 1, 2025	April 1, 2025 PACER
39	Judge Richard G. Stearns: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered finding as moot 9 Motion for the reasons discussed during the April 1 hearing, namely, that plaintiffs have already received the relief they request. See National TPS Alliance v. Noem, 2025 WL 957677 (N.D. Cal. March 31, 2025). (RGS, law3) (Entered: 04/01/2025)	April 1, 2025	April 1, 2025 PACER

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Case Details

State / Territory: Massachusetts

Case Type(s):

Immigration and/or the Border

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government (Immigration Enforcement)

Key Dates

Filing Date: March 3, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Haitian-Americans United Inc.; Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts; UndocuBlack Network, Inc.; Sydney Doe; Marlene Doe; Gustavo Doe; and Natalia Doe.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

President Donald Trump (- United States (national) -), Federal

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (- United States (national) -), Federal

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide