2 weeks ago
Trump’s Haitian TPS Crackdown Strains Families and Healthcare Providers
The United States ended a program that allowed many Haitians to live and work legally in the country.
Some of these Haitians worked as caregivers for older, disabled, or sick people.
One caregiver named Tassy had helped Richie Rosen for four years, but his job ended suddenly.
Richie misses him and did not get to say goodbye.
The organization that employed Tassy also had to lay off many other Haitian workers.
Families and healthcare leaders say replacing these experienced workers is very difficult.
They worry that fewer caregivers could mean less help for patients.
The Department of Homeland Security says the healthcare system does not depend on immigrants and that the protection program was being misused.
Some lawmakers and healthcare groups are asking officials to find another way for the workers to stay employed.
Jawonio terminated Haitian caregiver Tassy’s contract after the Trump administration ended Temporary Protected Status and related work authorization for Haitians.
Jawonio laid off nearly two dozen Haitian employees, or 7% of its staff, many of whom provided round-the-clock disability care.
About 21,000 Haitian TPS holders worked as caregivers or nursing assistants last year, serving roughly 77,000 patients, according to a census-data analysis.
Families and providers say losing experienced Haitian workers is worsening staffing shortages and disrupting care for vulnerable people.
The Department of Homeland Security rejects claims that healthcare relies on immigrants and says TPS had become a de facto amnesty program.
- Who
- Haitian Temporary Protected Status holders, healthcare providers, affected families, the Department of Homeland Security, and lawmakers including Mark Lawler.
- What
- The end of Haitians’ Temporary Protected Status and work authorization has led to caregiver job losses, staffing shortages, and concerns about patient care.
- Where
- The effects described include a group home in Rockland County, New York, and healthcare facilities in New York and Florida.
- When
- Tassy’s contract ended on July 27; Reuters reported the effects on August 19.
- Why
- The Trump administration cited improving conditions in Haiti when ending TPS, while healthcare providers and advocates say the decision removes essential workers amid existing staffing shortages.
Healthcare providers and advocates
Department of Homeland Security
Effect on healthcare staffing
Healthcare providers and advocates
Jawonio, healthcare associations, nurses, and families say removing Haitian workers creates severe staffing challenges, makes patient care harder, and could overwhelm hospitals and long-term-care services.
Department of Homeland Security
The Department of Homeland Security says it is false to claim that the healthcare industry relies on immigrants.
Purpose of TPS
Healthcare providers and advocates
Healthcare leaders and supporters argue that long-term caregivers should receive an exemption or another legal status so experienced workers can continue caring for vulnerable patients.
Department of Homeland Security
The Department of Homeland Security says TPS has been allowed to function as a de facto amnesty program and supports ending the protection based on the administration’s assessment that conditions in Haiti have improved.
Conditions in Haiti
Healthcare providers and advocates
Critics point to continuing gang violence, political instability, displacement, and widespread poverty as reasons Haitians may not be safe returning.
Department of Homeland Security
The Trump administration cited improving conditions in Haiti as a reason for ending the program.
Key facts
- Affected organization
- Jawonio laid off nearly two dozen Haitian employees, equal to 7% of its staff.
- Caregiver impact
- An estimated 21,000 of the 330,000 Haitians in the United States under TPS worked as caregivers or nursing assistants last year.
- Patients served
- Those Haitian workers served approximately 77,000 patients, according to an analysis of U.S. census data.
- Caregiver pay
- Many affected Jawonio workers earned about $20 per hour, only a few dollars above New York’s minimum wage.
- Haitian displacement
- The United Nations said about 1.4 million people in Haiti were displaced last year.
- U.S. locations
- New York had the second-largest number of Haitian TPS holders after Florida.
- Legal options
- Former TPS holders may return to Haiti voluntarily or remain in the United States while risking arrest and deportation.
Quotes
Randi Rios-Castro
CEO of nonprofit Jawonio that runs a group home
“"When healthcare workers live in fear of going to work, patient care suffers."”
theprint.in
“"This has never been just an immigration issue."”
theprint.in
Sources
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