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Haitians with expiring visas face a tough choice: stay illegally, return to a perilous situation at home or move to a new country. Many are uncertain what to do.
L., who asked to be identified only by her first initial due to the risk of early deportation, left feeling angry and frustrated after a recent pizza chat with a friend also struggling with their status. Both are Haitian immigrants living in America whose temporary legal status is set to expire soon.
For L., who has been here for two years, the situation is dire. The United Nations recently described Haiti as “near collapse,” with political turmoil and gang violence plaguing the country. Despite this, the Trump administration has ended the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for Haitians, effective September 2nd.
The TPS program provides work permits and protection from deportation to residents of countries in crisis due to natural or man-made disasters. Some Haitians enrolled after the 2010 earthquake that devastated the island, while others joined more recently following a 7.2 magnitude earthquake in 2021.
Leaders of the House Haiti Caucus argue that conditions in Haiti remain unsafe and that TPS should be extended or permanent legal status granted to these families, many of whom have been in the U.S. for years and are now an integral part of their communities.
Some Haitians are not leaving their homes, afraid to go to work, church or school. Families are considering moving to Canada, which has a refugee asylum process for Haitian refugees. Prayers and community activism are prevalent as people seek solutions.
The Trump administration’s decision puts many Haitians in a difficult position, with no clear path forward. They need more time to find a stable future.
