Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine sharply criticized the Trump administration’s decision to revoke temporary protected status (TPS) for Haitian immigrants, calling it “wrong,” even as a federal court temporarily blocked the policy. DeWine argued on CBS News’ Face the Nation that deporting Haitian workers would hurt employers and families, portraying him as siding with foreign nationals over rule-of-law enforcement.

“Once you get beyond [removing violent offenders], I don’t think there’s a consensus for taking people who are working, who are supporting their family,” DeWine said. “These are people who, if you talk to the employers, were filling jobs that were not being able to be filled in any other way. So it’s been a big boost to the economy.”

The policy is already on hold after U.S. District Court Judge Ana Reyes issued a temporary stay. Reyes, a Biden appointee, ruled that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem failed to consult required agencies and appeared to predetermine her decision, citing potential bias against nonwhite immigrants. The judge also referenced the State Department’s July 15 advisory warning against travel to Haiti due to “kidnapping, crime, terrorist activity, civil unrest, and limited health care,” undercutting DeWine’s claims about safety and economic benefit.

Noem had announced last November that TPS for Haitians would end in February, after earlier litigation delayed a prior termination. Federal data show that as of March 31, 330,735 Haitians had approved TPS applications.

DeWine is barred by Ohio’s term limits from seeking a third consecutive term as governor and will not run for re‑election in 2026.