Congress Urged to Extend Haitian TPS Status

Union leaders and elected officials demanded action as fear and devastation grip the Haitian community with Trump's expiration of TPS (Temporary Protected Status) work authorizations. Thousands of long-term residents and their families and communities where they live and work have been thrown into crisis.

About 9,460 people with TPS live in Connecticut and 5,000 Haitians are losing work authorization according to Comptroller Sean Scanlon. TPS was created for those escaping war, natural disaster or other dangerous sitations.

The sudden loss of these Haitian workers, many in healtcare, is devastating nursing homes, hospitals and longterm care facilities.

Decrying the situation at a press conference in Manchester, Stephanie Deceus, a vice president of SEIU 1199NE healthcare workers union, warned of dire consequescen for healthcare delivery.

“These are registered nurses, LPNs, CNAs, home care workers, group home workers. These are people who make the full chain of care. They care for our parents. They care for our grandparents. They care for our neighbors. They care for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.,” she explained.

"These are not just numbers in a workforce report," Deceus continued. "These are people. These are real people, real families. These are homeowners with longstanding ties to our community. These are caregivers that our community depends on every single day. They have built their lives here. They raise families here. They care for our loved ones here," she emphasized.

Scanlon called on Congress to act immediately to extend work authorization status to those on TPS. Senate bill S. 4814 would require DHS to redesignate Haiti for TPS and extend protections through January 2029, protecting essential workers from deportation, and creating a pathway to permanent residency. Its House companion, H.R. 1689, already passed with bipartisan support. Another bill with 50 co-sponsors including Rep. John Larson, the Temporary Protected Status Review Act, would establish additional protections for TPS recipients. The Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression and Emergency Act, or SECURE, was introduced by Sen. Richard Blumenthal and dozens of other Democratic senators.