TPS for Haitians: What the Supreme Court Ruling Means

The day after the Supreme Court ruled that the president has broad power to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) — a program that protects people from countries hit by disasters or violence — residents of Little Haiti in Brooklyn were in shock. TPS is a legal status that lets people from certain countries live and work in the US temporarily when it is too dangerous to return home. Over 330,000 Haitians in the US hold TPS, and their work permits expired July 1, 2026.

Why Haitians Were Given TPS — and Why It Kept Getting Extended

Haiti was first granted TPS on January 15, 2010, just three days after a devastating earthquake. Since then, the US government has extended and redesignated TPS for Haiti multiple times. The reasons kept piling up: hurricanes, floods, the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, and gangs taking control of the capital, Port-au-Prince. "It's worse now — we went from earthquakes to gangs kicking people out of their country," said Rommel A. Peltro, a Haitian immigrant who has lived in the US for 30 years. He pushed back on officials who called TPS "temporary," saying conditions in Haiti have never become safe enough for people to return.

The Economic and Human Cost of Ending TPS

Advocates say ending TPS will hurt not just Haitian families, but the broader US economy and healthcare system. An estimated 13,000 Haitian nursing assistants on TPS serve 65,000 patients daily. Another 8,000 Haitian caregivers look after 12,000 children and aging parents. "They add a good amount of sustainability to this economy, and some of them work two to three jobs, especially in the healthcare system," said Dr. Marie Paul, founder of the Haitian Nurses Network. She warned the impact will go far beyond Little Haiti: "We have home health aides, nurses, teachers who teach at universities. This is going to be a ripple effect."

The Supreme Court's ruling also worries advocates for TPS holders from other countries. The decision limits lower courts' ability to review the federal government's TPS choices. Lawsuits are already challenging TPS termination for El Salvador and Sudan, whose protections are set to expire in September. For Haitians in Brooklyn, the fear is immediate. "They've picked people off the streets like stray dogs — it may happen," said Dr. Paul, referring to past ICE arrests in the community.

What to Do If You Have TPS or Know Someone Who Does

• Contact an immigration lawyer immediately. Ask whether you qualify for another status — such as asylum, a family petition (Form I-130), or a work permit (EAD) through a different program. Do not assume you have no options.
• Do not ignore mail from USCIS or immigration court. Missing a deadline or a hearing can lead to a deportation order, even if you have a strong case.
• Know your rights if ICE approaches you. You have the right to remain silent and the right to speak with a lawyer. You do not have to open your door without a signed judicial warrant.
• Look for free or low-cost legal help. Many nonprofit organizations offer free immigration consultations for TPS holders. Search for accredited representatives or nonprofit legal aid in your city.