The Trump administration has rolled back an 18-month extension of deportation protections for over half-a-million Haitians currently residing in the United States, creating uncertainty and anxiety for recipients of the status.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday cut the duration of deportation protections and work permits for Haitians covered by the Temporary Protected Status program so that they will expire in August,

The decision means that thousands of Haitians could be eligible for deportation in August. It comes as a similar move against Venezuelan migrants is challenged in court.

The US government will end the temporary protected status (TPS) for 500,000 Haitians living in the country in August, the Department of Homeland Security said on Thursday. This comes despite deteriorating conditions in the Caribbean country,