The Trump administration is already using the case of a Haitian immigrant accused of fatally bludgeoning a woman with a hammer outside a Florida gas station to strengthen its argument before the U.S. Supreme Court that Temporary Protected Status for Haitians must end.
On April 7, the Department of Homeland Security announced the arrest of Rolbert Joachin, a 40-year-old Haitian charged with second-degree murder in the killing of Nilufa Easmin, a 51-year-old gas station clerk and mother of two. The statement referenced the case while addressing immigration policies during the Biden administration.
This announcement comes at a politically significant moment, as the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in Trump v. Miot — the legal challenge over the administration’s effort to terminate Haiti’s TPS designation — during the last week of April. Following these arguments, a decision could come as early as May or June.
Jeremy Redfern, deputy chief of staff for Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, drew the connection explicitly on social media, writing that a federal judge had blocked the termination of Haitian TPS and that oral arguments over the matter are scheduled for April 29. “So, here we are,” Redfern wrote.
On April 7, the Department of Homeland Security announced the arrest of Rolbert Joachin, a 40-year-old Haitian charged with second-degree murder in the killing of Nilufa Easmin, a 51-year-old gas station clerk and mother of two. The statement referenced the case while addressing immigration policies during the Biden administration.
This announcement comes at a politically significant moment, as the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in Trump v. Miot — the legal challenge over the administration’s effort to terminate Haiti’s TPS designation — during the last week of April. Following these arguments, a decision could come as early as May or June.
Jeremy Redfern, deputy chief of staff for Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, drew the connection explicitly on social media, writing that a federal judge had blocked the termination of Haitian TPS and that oral arguments over the matter are scheduled for April 29. “So, here we are,” Redfern wrote.
The Fort Myers Police responded on April 2 to multiple 911 calls reporting an attack at a Chevron gas station. Police found Easmin, also known as Nilufar Yasmin, on the ground with multiple head wounds. She was not breathing.
Surveillance footage captured the attack. Witnesses said Joachin smashed Easmin’s car windshield, then struck her in the head with a hammer when she came outside, continuing to hit her while she was on the ground.
Joachin fled on foot. Three schools nearby were placed on lockdown as a precaution. After a multi-hour manhunt with aviation and K-9 units, officers found Joachin about a mile away on Mango Street and arrested him without incident.
Gulf Coast News reported Joachin confessed to detectives. He said he’d tried and failed to withdraw money from an ATM the day before, then demanded cash from Easmin, who told him the store didn’t own the machine. Joachin told police he wore the same clothes so Easmin would recognize him and smashed her car to lure her outside. Detectives said Joachin is also a suspect in another open case.
Joachin, charged with murder without premeditation and criminal mischief, is held without bond at Lee County Jail until his May 4 arraignment, as a judge ruled him too dangerous to release.
Surveillance footage captured the attack. Witnesses said Joachin smashed Easmin’s car windshield, then struck her in the head with a hammer when she came outside, continuing to hit her while she was on the ground.
Joachin fled on foot. Three schools nearby were placed on lockdown as a precaution. After a multi-hour manhunt with aviation and K-9 units, officers found Joachin about a mile away on Mango Street and arrested him without incident.
Gulf Coast News reported Joachin confessed to detectives. He said he’d tried and failed to withdraw money from an ATM the day before, then demanded cash from Easmin, who told him the store didn’t own the machine. Joachin told police he wore the same clothes so Easmin would recognize him and smashed her car to lure her outside. Detectives said Joachin is also a suspect in another open case.
Joachin, charged with murder without premeditation and criminal mischief, is held without bond at Lee County Jail until his May 4 arraignment, as a judge ruled him too dangerous to release.
DHS Blames Biden, Highlights TPS
DHS stated Joachin entered the U.S. in August 2022 and was released during the Biden administration. That year, an immigration judge issued a removal order, but the Biden administration later granted Joachin TPS, which expired in 2024.
Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis stated, “This heinous murderer was RELEASED into the country by the Biden administration.” She added, “Not only did the Biden administration release him, but they also gave him TPS.”
Bis said the arrest demonstrates how ICE and local authorities can collaborate to bring individuals accused of crimes to justice.
ICE has filed a detainer against Joachin. DHS said he will be deported regardless of the outcome of the criminal case.
DHS did not identify the victim by name or nationality in its statement.
Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis stated, “This heinous murderer was RELEASED into the country by the Biden administration.” She added, “Not only did the Biden administration release him, but they also gave him TPS.”
Bis said the arrest demonstrates how ICE and local authorities can collaborate to bring individuals accused of crimes to justice.
ICE has filed a detainer against Joachin. DHS said he will be deported regardless of the outcome of the criminal case.
DHS did not identify the victim by name or nationality in its statement.
The Fort Myers case comes amid a legal fight over TPS for about 350,000 Haitian nationals in the U.S.
Haiti received TPS in 2010 after a catastrophic earthquake. The status has been renewed by both parties amid worsening conditions marked by instability, violence, displacement, and famine-like hardship.
In November 2025, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem ended Haiti’s TPS, effective February 3, 2026, saying conditions no longer met the threshold. A day before termination, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes blocked it, finding it likely violated the Administrative Procedure Act and the equal protection clause, and that DHS hadn’t consulted other agencies as required. Reyes also found evidence of possible racial animus.
The Trump administration appealed to the D.C. Circuit Court, which denied an emergency stay. The administration then approached the Supreme Court.
On March 11, Solicitor General D. John Sauer sought an immediate stay and expedited Supreme Court review in Miot v. Trump. He argued that lower courts overstepped, blocking major policy decisions and citing a “far-fetched and far-reaching equal-protection claim.”
On March 16, the Supreme Court granted certiorari before judgment, expediting review of both the Haiti and Syria TPS cases. The district court’s stay remains in place, so Haitian TPS holders retain protection during proceedings.
Oral arguments are scheduled for the last week of April, with a decision expected by June.
Haiti received TPS in 2010 after a catastrophic earthquake. The status has been renewed by both parties amid worsening conditions marked by instability, violence, displacement, and famine-like hardship.
In November 2025, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem ended Haiti’s TPS, effective February 3, 2026, saying conditions no longer met the threshold. A day before termination, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes blocked it, finding it likely violated the Administrative Procedure Act and the equal protection clause, and that DHS hadn’t consulted other agencies as required. Reyes also found evidence of possible racial animus.
The Trump administration appealed to the D.C. Circuit Court, which denied an emergency stay. The administration then approached the Supreme Court.
On March 11, Solicitor General D. John Sauer sought an immediate stay and expedited Supreme Court review in Miot v. Trump. He argued that lower courts overstepped, blocking major policy decisions and citing a “far-fetched and far-reaching equal-protection claim.”
On March 16, the Supreme Court granted certiorari before judgment, expediting review of both the Haiti and Syria TPS cases. The district court’s stay remains in place, so Haitian TPS holders retain protection during proceedings.
Oral arguments are scheduled for the last week of April, with a decision expected by June.
A Case Built for Political Utility
The DHS statement on the Fort Myers case is consistent with previous instances where the Trump administration has referenced individual criminal cases involving immigrants in relation to its enforcement agenda. The April 7 statement described Joachin as a “Haitian illegal alien” and related the incident to Biden-era policy decisions, combining policy arguments with law enforcement updates.
Several facts go unaddressed in the DHS statement. TPS applicants must pass criminal background checks and cannot have a felony or more than 2 misdemeanors. DHS didn’t explain how Joachin obtained TPS despite a final removal order, or whether he had any criminal history at the time.
Joachin’s TPS expired in 2024, leaving him without legal status for about two years before the incident. His continued presence was due to the unexecuted removal order.
Attorneys for Haitian TPS holders argue that Haiti remains dangerous. In filings, they describe widespread violence, scarcity of essentials, and report four women killed after deportation from the U.S.
A coalition of 19 attorneys general, led by Maryland’s Anthony Brown, urged the Supreme Court to preserve TPS, arguing that termination would separate families, hurt economies, and reduce the workforce. TPS-eligible Haitians contribute an estimated $3.4 billion annually to the U.S. economy.
Several facts go unaddressed in the DHS statement. TPS applicants must pass criminal background checks and cannot have a felony or more than 2 misdemeanors. DHS didn’t explain how Joachin obtained TPS despite a final removal order, or whether he had any criminal history at the time.
Joachin’s TPS expired in 2024, leaving him without legal status for about two years before the incident. His continued presence was due to the unexecuted removal order.
Attorneys for Haitian TPS holders argue that Haiti remains dangerous. In filings, they describe widespread violence, scarcity of essentials, and report four women killed after deportation from the U.S.
A coalition of 19 attorneys general, led by Maryland’s Anthony Brown, urged the Supreme Court to preserve TPS, arguing that termination would separate families, hurt economies, and reduce the workforce. TPS-eligible Haitians contribute an estimated $3.4 billion annually to the U.S. economy.
The criminal case against Joachin will proceed in Lee County, where he remains held without bond pending his May 4 arraignment.
On the immigration front, the consolidated Supreme Court cases—Trump v. Miot and Noem v. Doe—will test executive authority over TPS terminations and the scope of court review. The Court will also assess the equal protection claims from TPS holders.
For about 350,000 Haitian nationals, the stakes are high. For Nilufa Easmin’s family—who lost a loved one during a routine workday—no legal or political outcome will restore what they lost.
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On the immigration front, the consolidated Supreme Court cases—Trump v. Miot and Noem v. Doe—will test executive authority over TPS terminations and the scope of court review. The Court will also assess the equal protection claims from TPS holders.
For about 350,000 Haitian nationals, the stakes are high. For Nilufa Easmin’s family—who lost a loved one during a routine workday—no legal or political outcome will restore what they lost.
https://ctninfo.com/?p=41908&preview=true
https://www.facebook.com/CaribbeanNewsMedia
