Ruling on Haitian TPS raises concerns in Brooklyn community

BROOKLYN (WABC) -- A federal judge allowed the Trump administration to end temporary deportation protection for hundreds of thousands of Haitians, marking the final step, for now, in a months-long legal case that made its way to the Supreme Court.

Community leaders, elected officials and labor advocates voiced concern over the impact of the ruling that allows the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, for more than 350,000 Haitian immigrants nationwide.

It has raised fears about workforce disruptions and economic impacts in Brooklyn's Little Haiti neighborhood and beyond, affecting businesses, health care workers and local communities.

A manager of a Haitian restaurant in Brooklyn said the business was forced to lay off eight of its 13 employees because of the ruling. The manager also said Nostrand Avenue, a major commercial corridor in Little Haiti, has grown quieter as many residents fear the consequences of losing protected status.

At a gathering that included nurses and elected officials, New York State Nurses Association President Nancy Hagans criticized the decision.

"Today, I am deeply concerned because hundreds of thousands of Haitian immigrants have lost their protected status," Hagans said.

According to speakers at the event, the court's ruling means Haitian TPS recipients will lose work authorization, become undocumented and face difficult decisions about their future in the United States.

Brooklyn Council Member Alexa Avilés expressed support for the Haitian community.

"Let me be unequivocal. Haitians will always be welcomed here in this city," Avilés said.

New York Attorney General Letitia James also condemned the ruling.

"This is not justice. This is cruelty," James said.

Speakers noted concerns about conditions in Haiti. The U.S. State Department currently advises U.S. citizens not to visit the country because of an unstable government and gang violence.

One state assemblywoman also criticized the court's action, saying, "The Supreme Court does understand the consequences for overturning vulnerable people."

The Department of Homeland Security defended the administration's position in a statement.

"Temporary Protected Status is exactly that -- temporary. For too long, TPS has been allowed to function as a de facto amnesty program despite Congress never intending it to be permanent," the statement said.

New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams argued the policy disproportionately affects immigrant communities of color.

"We told people from the beginning this was truly honestly about the whitening of this country. This was clearly about black and brown communities, black and brown immigrants," Williams said.

The New York State Nurses Association said the effects extend beyond immigration status and employment concerns. The union warned that hospitals already facing staffing challenges could see additional strain.

"As a nurse, I know our hospitals are facing a staffing shortage. We are still recovering from the devastation impact from COVID-19," Hagans said.

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