The brief asks the Court to affirm lower court orders that temporarily blocked the terminations. The coalition argues that ending TPS for the two groups would "separate families, damage economies, deplete workforces, increase health care costs, and harm public health and safety," according to the release.
"I am the son of immigrants and have seen firsthand how immigrant families power our communities and our economy," Tong said. "Stripping Temporary Protected Status would force people back into dangerous conditions, disrupt critical sectors in our workforce, and cause lasting harm to families and communities across this country. We are urging the Supreme Court to keep these protections in place."
According to the press release, Haitians have been eligible for TPS since a 2010 earthquake, and Syrians since civil war broke out in 2012. Both designations have been extended multiple times, the office said, citing ongoing violence, food insecurity, and limited access to health care in both countries.
The Trump administration moved to terminate TPS for both groups in November 2025. The release says the terminations came "without any evidence that the dangerous conditions in the countries had improved," and notes the U.S. State Department continues to classify both nations as "Level 4: Do Not Travel" countries — its highest risk designation.
In February 2026, courts preserved protections for affected TPS holders while the litigation proceeds, according to the release. The Supreme Court agreed in March 2026 to hear both cases and deferred ruling on the administration's request to let the terminations take effect immediately until it decides the merits.
The AG's office said TPS-eligible Haitians and Syrians together contribute more than $3.5 billion annually to the U.S. economy, and that Syrian immigrants own businesses at more than triple the rate of U.S. citizens by birth.
Joining Tong on the brief were the attorneys general of California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, and Washington.