Haitian community fears increased immigration enforcement after Temporary Protected Status ends

“Together we are strong” is a popular saying in the Haitian community. For Haitian American Pauline Jean Simon, the message has taken on greater significance as her community faces uncertainty following the end of Temporary Protected Status. Simon, president of The Association of Haitians Living Abroad for the Development (AHVED), said she has been encouraging residents to prepare for the change and understand their rights. “We see the damage that it is doing inside the Haitian community—the fear,” Simon said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re Haitian, if you’re a U.S. citizen or if you were born here. The fear is that they will be stopping you.” Immigration and Customs Enforcement has announced plans to increase arrests and deportations involving Haitian migrants following the end of the humanitarian tool meant to let some stay and work within the U.S. Simon questions what will happen to the many Haitian TPS holders. “These people work here,” she said. “We knew they were temporary, but we collected Social Security from them. We collected Medicare from them. We promised that they would get it when they retired, knowing that many of them would not have the possibility to retire here. Now you tell them, ‘Pack and leave.’” Naples immigration attorney Marcus Wobschall said the end of TPS does not necessarily mean every affected person is out of options. “Asylum is still available for people to apply for,” Wobschall said. “All the family-based applications are still available. Employers can also sponsor employees for immigration status.” Wobschall recommends that residents carry photo identification, even if they were not covered by TPS, as more federal immigration agents patrol Southwest Florida. He also emphasized that being detained by ICE does not automatically mean a person will be deported. “Obviously, nobody wants to get detained,” Wobschall said. “But typically, once they detain somebody and they’re holding them, that person will get put into proceedings.” Simon added the prospect of increased enforcement has also caused anxiety among her family. She makes sure her children, who are U.S. citizens, carry passport cards in case they are stopped. “You do not know where it stops,” Simon said. “How are they going to know if you are Haitian or not?” Federal officials said the timing and locations of increased immigration enforcement operations were still being determined. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.