Temporary Protected Status for Haiti Ending: What This Means for Massachusetts Communities

With Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti slated to end on February 3, tens of thousands of Haitian individuals living and working in Massachusetts face an uncertain future.

For years Catholic Charities Boston has helped to empower Haitians living across Greater Boston through English Language classes, job training, legal advocacy, and other services aimed to support the region’s economy and build stronger, more stable communities. Marjean Perhot, Vice President of Refugee & Immigrant Services at Catholic Charities Boston, shared some of the implications of this decision and how the agency is supporting the affected community during this challenging time.

Q. What is Temporary Protected Status?

Temporary Protected Status is a designation for a country that has undergone a severe disaster, armed conflict, or other extraordinary circumstance. While someone is here with TPS status, they can have work authorization and they’re able to remain here legally without the fear of being returned back to their country of origin.

Q. What does the end of TPS for Haiti mean for the Commonwealth

The Commonwealth is the 3rd largest diaspora of Haitian immigrants in the United States. An estimated 45,000-50,000 Haitians are in Massachusetts under TPS.

These Haitians are among those in our most critical workforces here in healthcare, hospitality, education, and transportation. They are bus drivers who make sure our children get to school safely every day.  Up to 40% of home health aides in the healthcare workforce is made of Haitians, who bond with our loved ones who are in long term care facilities, nursing facilities and hospitals and help them with their daily tasks and personal care need.

The expiration of TPS means that these people who have been contributing to our economy will suddenly lose their work authorization and not be able to report to work the next day.

Q. What are your teams seeing and doing to support clients?

Unfortunately, Haiti has been unstable since the 2010 earthquake and continues to this day. Many clients don’t have homes or livelihoods to return to in Haiti.

Catholic Charities teams across all of our programs are very dedicated to supporting people who are experiencing a lot of fear and anxiety about losing temporary protective status on February 3.  Most of the clients work full-time to make ends meet and are struggling just like any one of us would with what will happen if their job is suddenly revoked.

We’ve increased legal consultations for individuals who want to see if they have any other options for status other than TPS. We’re also ensuring that people have enough basic needs such as food so they can take care of their families during this scary time.

Q. What would you say to the Haitian community impacted by this decision?

One thing that I’ve learned from over 30 years of working with our Haitian brothers and sisters is they are a people full of hope. We are all holding out hope that a District Court case will grant a stay of the termination of TPS that allows our Haitian sisters and brothers to continue contributing and being an integral part of our communities.