NYC Council Member Farah Louis Calls for Permanent Protections for Haitian Nationals with TPS

New York City Council Member Farah Louis has joined local and state legislators, community advocates, and clergy leaders in demanding permanent protections for Haitian nationals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

New York City Council Member Farah Louis, the daughter of Haitian and Bahamian immigrants, who represents the 45th Council District in Brooklyn, said the Trump administration’s decision to terminate TPS for Haitians by August 2025 “threatens to uproot families, disrupt livelihoods, and force thousands back to a country in crisis.”

Haiti remains gripped by widespread violence, political instability, and economic turmoil, creating significant risks for those forced to return. Armed groups control much of the capital, and humanitarian conditions continue to deteriorate.

The United Nations and human rights organizations have warned that deporting individuals under these circumstances would put lives at serious risk. Since the massive 2010 earthquake, “Haitian TPS holders have built their lives in the United States, contributing significantly to their communities and local economies,” said Louis.

She said in New York alone, more than 15,000 residents rely on TPS protections. “They work in essential industries, support local businesses, and pay more than $260 million in taxes. Stripping them of these protections would not only endanger their futures but also destabilize the communities that depend on them,” she told a rally here on Thursday, where speakers called on the US Congress to act swiftly to provide permanent protections for Haitian TPS holders.

“We will not remain silent while Haitian families in Brooklyn and beyond are threatened. The Trump administration’s cruel decision to terminate TPS for Haitian nationals ignores Haiti’s dire reality and puts families who have built their lives here in jeopardy,” Louis said.

“This isn’t about policy—it’s about cruelty. Stripping their protections would destabilize lives and communities. We are here to fight for what is right: ensuring Haitian TPS recipients can continue to live and work with dignity, respect, and security,” she added.

President and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), Murad Awawdeh, Calls for Action

President and chief executive officer of the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), Murad Awawdeh, said the Trump administration’s decision to revoke TPS for Haitians is “a direct attack on the thousands of families who have built their lives here, contributing to our communities and local economy.”

This reckless and cruel decision puts Haitians at risk of deportation, forcing them to return to a country still reeling from political and economic turmoil. Haitian New Yorkers are our neighbors, teachers, home health aides, and more. They deserve stability, not the constant threat of being torn away from their families and community at a moment’s notice, based on politics. This is yet another example of Trump pushing his mass deportation agenda at any cost by dismantling the legal protections that have allowed families to live with dignity,” he said.

New York State Assemblymember Clyde Vanel Calls for Action

New York State Assemblymember Clyde Vanel, the son of Haitian immigrants and who represents the 33rd State Assembly District in Queens, also urged the continued fight “to protect legal Haitian immigrants who are here on Temporary Protective Status and who have been contributing to our city, state, and country.”

Reports show that TPS holders in New York contribute over $300 million in tax revenue annually. We must work hard to find a permanent solution for the legal status of these hard-working individuals who contribute so much to our state,” he said.

Little Haiti BK Executive Director Stephanie Delia Calls for Unity and Resilience

Little Haiti BK Executive Director Stephanie Delia said the recent termination of TPS for Haitians, now set to expire on August 3, 2025, instead of February 3, 2026, “threatens to separate families, disrupt lives, and cast a dark shadow over the vibrant businesses that are the heartbeat of our Little Haiti BK neighborhood, as residents stay home due to fear.”

However, in adversity, the Haitian community stands resilient. It is in these challenging times that our unity and determination shine brightest. Together, we will navigate these uncertainties, support one another, and continue to enrich the cultural tapestry of our city,” she added.

Conclusion

The fate of Haitian nationals with TPS hangs in the balance as the Trump administration’s decision to terminate TPS for Haitians by August 2025 threatens to uproot families, disrupt livelihoods, and force thousands back to a country in crisis. It is imperative that the US Congress takes swift action to provide permanent protections for Haitian TPS holders, ensuring they can continue to live and work with dignity, respect, and security.

FAQs

* What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?
TPS is a temporary status granted to nationals of certain countries, including Haiti, who are unable to return to their home country due to ongoing violence, natural disasters, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions.

* What is the Trump administration’s decision regarding TPS for Haitians?
The Trump administration has decided to terminate TPS for Haitians by August 2025, which would force thousands of Haitians to return to a country in crisis.

* Why is this decision unacceptable?
This decision is unacceptable because it ignores Haiti’s dire reality, putting thousands of Haitians at risk of deportation, forcing them to return to a country still reeling from political and economic turmoil.