Why TPS for Haiti Matters—and What’s at Stake
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a temporary immigration status provided by the U.S. government to eligible nationals of designated countries experiencing ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, epidemics, or other extraordinary conditions that make returning home unsafe. Established by Congress in 1990, TPS allows beneficiaries to live and work legally in the United States for a limited time, protecting them from deportation and authorizing employment. The designation, granted by the Secretary of Homeland Security, typically lasts six, twelve, or eighteen months, with decisions on extension or termination made at least 60 days before expiration.
How Haiti Was Granted TPS in the First Place
In January 2010, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck near Port-au-Prince, killing over 200,000 people and displacing more than a million. The destruction was overwhelming—homes, schools, and hospitals crumbled, and essential services were lost. In response to this humanitarian crisis, the U.S. government designated Haiti for TPS, offering temporary legal protection to Haitians already in the United States so they would not be forced to return to an unlivable situation.
The Situation in Haiti Today
Sadly, the conditions in Haiti have worsened dramatically since the earthquake. Armed gangs now control large areas of the country, especially in and around the capital. Gang violence has become a daily threat, with kidnappings, extortion, and killings on the rise. Many families live in constant fear as gangs burn homes, steal belongings, and force people to flee with nowhere safe to go. All of this unfolds amid the collapse—or near total absence—of a functioning political system.
Basic necessities such as food, clean water, fuel and internet access are scarce or unaffordable due to inflation and widespread instability. Many schools remain closed, and banks are either shut down or closely watched by gangs who rob the customers. In some areas, people have no access to banking services at all. Everyday life is deeply insecure.
The healthcare system has collapsed under this violence. Armed gangs have looted and destroyed hospitals and clinics, including the Hôpital Saint-François de Sales in Carrefour Feuilles—a vital medical center that was ransacked and rendered inoperable. Private clinics run by local doctors have also been attacked, with many looted, vandalized, or burned. Tragically, some medical professionals have been killed or forced to abandon their work out of fear. Patients needing urgent care now face life-threatening obstacles.
Cultural landmarks have not been spared. On July 6, 2025, the iconic Hôtel Oloffson which was built around 1886, a historic hotel in Port-au-Prince known for its vibrant cultural significance and as a gathering place for artists and intellectuals, was destroyed in an arson attack by armed gangs. This loss is not only symbolic of Haiti’s rich heritage but also of the nation’s ongoing crisis, where violence threatens every aspect of daily life.
The Closing of the Marriott Port-au-Prince Hotel
In April 2025, the Marriott Hotel located in Port-au-Prince—one of the last international hotel chains operating in Haiti—closed its doors due to the escalating violence and political instability. This closure affected about 100 employees who depended on the hotel for their livelihoods and highlighted the broader collapse of sectors like tourism, which once offered hope for economic recovery. Other hotels across the country were also looted or destroyed, further underscoring the devastating impact on the industry.
What Does “Precariousness” Mean for Haitians?
For people living in Haiti, “precariousness” isn’t just economic—it’s a state of constant fear and uncertainty. It means waking up not knowing if you’ll be able to find food, send your children to school, or go to work safely. It means living with the terrifying possibility of kidnapping, violence, or death. Precariousness is fear, instability, and the constant pressure of surviving day to day.
How TPS Has Helped Haitians Rebuild
TPS has been a vital source of protection and stability for thousands of Haitians in the United States. It has enabled them to work legally, contribute to their communities, and support families both here and back home. TPS provides a shield against deportation, allowing families to stay together and giving them a chance to build safer, more secure futures.
The Haitian Humanitarian Parole (HHP part of the larger CHNV (Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans) Humanitarian Parole Program), established under the Biden administration in 2023, has further extended protections to newer arrivals, complementing the TPS population that has lived in the U.S. since 2010. Together, these programs represent hope and safety for many Haitians facing unimaginable risks.
What Happens If TPS Is Not Renewed?
Currently, over 160,000 Haitians benefit from TPS in the United States. However, the program’s future remains uncertain. The U.S. government has stopped new TPS designations and renewals for Haiti and other countries, claiming that Haiti’s political and economic conditions have improved. Yet this stands in stark contrast to reality—the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince is closed, and the State Department has issued a strong travel advisory warning Americans not to travel to Haiti at all.
The critical question is: What options remain available for Haitians seeking safety and stability in the U.S.? It’s important to remember that TPS is not a permanent immigration status nor a pathway to residency or citizenship; it is a temporary safeguard that can be revoked at any time. This means that individuals who have built lives here—working, raising families, and contributing to society—could suddenly face deportation and separation from their U.S.-born children. Ending TPS would not only disrupt lives but put them in direct danger.
Final Thoughts
While TPS was never meant to be permanent, any decision to end it must be made with humanity and respect for the ongoing crisis in Haiti. With widespread violence, hunger, and lawlessness still rampant, stripping away protections now would be both reckless and cruel.
Increasing fees while reducing access to vital protections sends a devastating message to the communities who depend on TPS for survival. Policies must reflect the harsh realities on the ground and uphold the dignity and safety of those affected.
TPS may be temporary by law—but the lives it protects are real. Those lives deserve lasting safety, stability, and respect.
by Danielle Josyle
Haitian Creole Co-Lead; French Team Co-Lead
