The International Institute of New England strongly opposes the senseless decision by the Trump Administration to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for roughly half a million Haitian immigrants by August 3, 2025—the latest in several decisions that unjustly target refugee and immigrant populations who came to our country through legal pathways. In recent years, IINE has proudly provided access to housing, legal services, ESOL classes, and employment support to more than 16,000 Haitian individuals who have come to Massachusetts to find safety and stability and reunite with family and friends.
TPS is granted to a population when it is unsafe to return to their home country because of ongoing armed conflict or instability caused by natural disasters. It is revoked when these circumstances have changed, and conditions are no longer unsafe. There is no evidence that this is the case in Haiti, which remains plagued by gang violence, kidnapping, famine, water shortages, and other continuing threats.
The decision to revoke the TPS extension is not only cruel but also unjust, targeting families and individuals who followed a legal pathway to seek refuge. After enduring harrowing journeys—often on foot across treacherous terrain—to come to the U.S., they willingly provided their information to the federal government and were granted legal permission to stay. Now they face the threat of deportation as repayment. To strip them of their work authorizations and legal protections, and to force them back to the nightmarish conditions from which they fled, would be inhumane.
This decision is devastating for all who call the U.S. home. Massachusetts alone hosts the third largest Haitian population in the U.S., including more than 4,700 Haitians with TPS. They are our friends, neighbors, colleagues, and essential workers. Among them is Santiagoson, a Haitian immigrant who spends his days working at HD Supply as a Warehouse Associate and his evenings studying English at IINE to grow his language skills as quickly as possible. He recently received a “Bronze Award” from his employer in recognition of his outstanding work and is now planning to pursue a master’s degree in supply-chain management and logistics. Like thousands of Haitian immigrants, Santiagoson is building a future not just for himself, but for the community and country that benefits from his hard work.
The federal government’s decision to turn its back on our Haitian community members will upend lives, tear families apart, and weaken the very communities these individuals have helped strengthen. It is imperative that we stand in solidarity and demand the protection they deserve. The International Institute of New England remains committed to continuing to support the Haitian immigrant community in every way we can.
