More than one million immigrants currently residing in the United States under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) face the prospect of losing their work authorization and potentially facing deportation following a recent Supreme Court decision. This ruling clears the way for the federal government to terminate TPS, a humanitarian program that has allowed nationals from designated countries affected by conflict or natural disasters to live and work legally in the U.S.
TPS holders are integral to several critical sectors. Salvadoran workers have contributed to the maintenance and renovation of government landmarks such as the Capitol, the Pentagon, and Arlington National Cemetery, while Haitian caregivers provide essential support to elderly Americans in senior living centers across Florida, Massachusetts, and New York. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania estimate that roughly 70 percent of TPS beneficiaries participate in the U.S. workforce, particularly in construction and healthcare.
The first group of approximately 350,000 TPS recipients, including many Haitians, will lose their work permits Monday as the program’s protections are lifted in stages. Around 190,000 Salvadorans could face similar status expiration in September. Analysts warn that the sudden removal of tens of thousands of eligible workers may significantly disrupt specific industries and local economies.
In response to the impending changes, business groups led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have called on Congress to act swiftly to prevent labor shortages and human suffering. “Congress can, and should, exercise its plenary authority over immigration policy to prevent significant disruption to America’s workforce and avoid an unnecessary humanitarian crisis,” the Chamber said in a recent letter to Senate leaders.
State and local officials across partisan lines have echoed these concerns. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican, described ending TPS for Haitians as a “mistake” likely to inflict severe economic damage on his state. In South Florida, home to the country’s largest Haitian community, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Commissioner Marleine Bastien, and business representatives gathered to discuss the negative repercussions. Bastien stated, “Ending TPS doesn’t save American money. Ending TPS costs America money.”
Despite calls for legislative intervention, efforts to extend TPS protections have faced opposition. Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt, a Republican, blocked a bipartisan attempt by Democrats to fast-track TPS extension for Haitians. Speaking on the Senate floor, Schmitt criticized the program for its long duration, arguing that it has evolved beyond its emergency intent and has become a conduit for permanent immigration. “TPS was created for emergencies,” he said. “Democrats turned it into a one-way racket towards permanent mass migration.”
As the deadline nears, industries and communities reliant on TPS workers brace for the uncertain impact of the program’s wind-down, while political leaders remain divided on its future.