TPS Ends for 350,000 Haitians: Get a Green Card or Leave

Supreme Court ends TPS protections for hundreds of thousands

The US Supreme Court's conservative majority ruled that Haitians challenging the end of their Temporary Protected Status (TPS — a form of temporary legal residency given to people fleeing war, disaster, or dangerous conditions) were unlikely to win their case. The decision directly affects an estimated 350,000 Haitian and 6,000 Syrian TPS holders. Without TPS, they lose their legal right to stay and work in the US, and they now face possible ICE detention or deportation.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin appeared on CNN after the ruling and gave TPS holders a clear choice: apply for a permanent immigration status, or leave. "Either try to fill out the paperwork and be here underneath a permanent status or we'll help you get back to your country," Mullin said. He added that the government would offer a free plane ticket plus roughly $2,100 to people who agree to leave voluntarily. The State Department, however, still warns Americans not to travel to Haiti or Syria, citing gang violence, terrorism, and kidnapping.

The United States first gave TPS to Haitians after a devastating earthquake in 2010, and to Syrians after their country fell into civil war in 2012. The status was renewed many times over the years. Now, immigration advocates fear the Trump administration could use this ruling to end TPS for people from other countries too — a program that currently protects 1.7 million people from 17 countries. Even some Republicans have spoken out. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine called the ruling a "mistake," pointing out that violent gangs control most of Haiti and the government barely functions.

What TPS holders in Springfield and beyond are saying

In Springfield, Ohio — a city where Haitian immigrants helped revive a struggling local economy — residents expressed despair after the ruling. "For Springfield, it's going to hurt. When I came here, this area was dead. In this plaza, there are now seven Haitian businesses," said Franky Pierre, a Haitian immigrant who came to the US during the 1991 military coup. Pierre feared that TPS holders would start fleeing immediately. Several Republican members of Congress, including representatives from New York and Nebraska, have also called for TPS extensions for Haitian immigrants.

What to do

• Check if you qualify for another status. Some TPS holders may be eligible to apply for a green card (permanent residency) through a US citizen or permanent resident family member, an employer, or another path. Talk to an immigration lawyer as soon as possible to find out your options.
• Do not ignore letters or notices from USCIS or ICE. If you receive any official notice, respond or appear as required. Missing a deadline or a hearing can make your situation much worse and may lead to a deportation order.
• Learn your rights if ICE comes to your door. You have the right to remain silent and the right to speak to a lawyer. You do not have to open the door unless ICE has a signed judicial warrant. Keep a lawyer's phone number with you at all times.
• If you are considering the voluntary departure offer, lawyers recommend you speak with an immigration attorney first. Accepting the offer may affect your ability to return to the US legally in the future.