A major policy change is set to drastically affect the lives of over half a million Haitians living in the United States, many in Alabama. This shift comes after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) decided to end a crucial program that had been in place for over a decade. The program, known as Temporary Protected Status (TPS), allowed Haitians who fled their homeland to seek refuge in the U.S. while giving them the legal ability to work.
This policy change was part of a campaign promise from former President Donald Trump. With the end of TPS for Haitians, thousands will now have to leave the United States and return to a country that remains deeply unstable and dangerous. For many, this represents an uncertain and frightening future.
In August, images of workers being bused back to Athens from local chicken processing plants raised alarm bells across the community. Among these workers were Haitians, many of whom have called Alabama home for years.
One of the individuals deeply affected by this decision is Dr. Celeve Izean, a Haitian immigrant and now a U.S. citizen. Sean, who fled Haiti nearly 20 years ago, said, “I really love my country, but I can’t go there right now.” His words reflect the harsh reality many are now facing. Izean had benefited from a similar refugee program, which, like TPS, allowed individuals fleeing violence and instability to stay in the U.S.
For Izean, sending these refugees back to Haiti is a death sentence. “People are dying every day, especially when you come from America,” he said, highlighting the ongoing crisis in Haiti. Gangs now control much of the country, and the government is unable to maintain any semblance of order. There is no functioning legal system, and violence is rampant.
Immigration attorney Kimberly Fasking, who represents several Haitian refugees, expressed her heartbreak over the decision. “People say that they support legal immigration, but then you have people following the rules, and the rules are changing on them,” she said. Fasking argued that the end of TPS is especially troubling, given the current conditions in Haiti.
The program was first introduced in 2010 in response to the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti. It allowed Haitians to live and work in the U.S. legally, offering them a haven from a country that was in ruins. Under the Biden administration, the TPS was extended to February 2026, but the new Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, has expedited the deadline, bringing it to August 2023.
Historically, Temporary Protected Status has only been ended when the country in question is deemed safe to return to. However, the current situation in Haiti has only worsened. Gangs have taken control of large parts of the country, and the U.S. government has issued a “do not travel” advisory for Haiti due to the escalating violence.
Sean and other Haitians who fled violence and poverty in search of a better life now face the heartbreaking reality of being forced to return to a country that is in even worse shape than when they left. The government of Haiti is unable to protect its citizens, and the instability makes it impossible for refugees to live safely there.
The end of TPS for Haitians is part of a broader trend of tightening immigration policies in the U.S. According to an immigration forum study, TPS holders from countries like El Salvador, Honduras, and Haiti have contributed billions to the U.S. economy. In fact, Haitian TPS holders alone have contributed approximately $4.5 billion to the nation’s GDP.
For Izean, the threat of deportation is not just an abstract concept; it’s personal. He says that seven people in his church congregation are currently protected under TPS. He is committed to helping them find a way to stay in the U.S. legally, but with the program’s end drawing nearer, that task is becoming increasingly difficult. Izean plans to spend the next few months working with legal professionals to find other pathways for these individuals.
Fasking suggests that asylum could be a potential option for some refugees, but she also cautioned that the chances of success are slim. Asylum cases in Alabama are processed in Atlanta, where the approval rate is only 5%. The low success rate makes it a difficult and uncertain option for many seeking to stay in the U.S.
The decision to end TPS for Haitians in the U.S. is deeply controversial. While many believe that the program was necessary due to the ongoing instability in Haiti, others argue that it’s time to enforce stricter immigration policies.
For the Haitian community in Alabama, however, the policy change could lead to devastating consequences. As the August deadline approaches, they are left to wonder what their future holds in a country that has already become home for so many.
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