Families in the U.S. are grappling with the loss of essential caregivers as the nation has ended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals, a move that prevents them from legally working in the country and puts them at risk of deportation.
The expiration of TPS at the end of July has led to widespread layoffs, particularly impacting the healthcare sector, which relies heavily on immigrant labor. Linda Mancuso, a mother from Long Island, described the layoff of her son Michael's caregiver, Jean, as "horrifying." Michael, 23, has developmental and intellectual disabilities and requires significant hands-on assistance with daily tasks.
"Showering, sleeping, eating, tying his shoes - Michael can't tie his shoes - I mean, there's so much hands-on involvement, and Jean did all of that," Mancuso stated. She had found peace when Jean began caring for Michael, calling him a "lifeline." His termination, along with 18 other Haitian caregivers from the same nonprofit, has left the family in distress.
The Trump administration initially announced the termination of TPS for Haitians in June 2025, a decision that was upheld by the Supreme Court. This ruling affects approximately 350,000 Haitians nationwide, rendering them unable to work legally and vulnerable to removal from the U.S.
The healthcare industry, which includes home health aides and assisted living staff, is facing significant repercussions. Kezia Scales, vice-president of policy and research at the Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute, noted that Haiti is among the top five countries of origin for immigrants working in direct care. The industry was already experiencing a labor shortage before the TPS terminations, leading to long waitlists for services.
"We simply do not have enough people in our domestic market, when you exclude immigrants, to fill those jobs," Scales explained. Advocacy groups are pushing for policies that would create more stable legal pathways for international caregivers to address these workforce gaps.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security commented on the termination of TPS, stating, "Temporary Protected Status is exactly that - temporary." The spokesperson added, "The assertion that the only way we can support the healthcare industry is by allowing unvetted illegal aliens to remain in the country is grossly false and lazy."
Immigration policy was a central theme in the 2024 election, and the termination of TPS for Haitians is part of a broader set of measures restricting immigration. Haitians constitute nearly one-third of all TPS recipients affected by such terminations during the current administration's term.