Dear friends,
Yesterday we witnessed the jeopardizing of more than 356,000 Haitian and Syrian lives. The Supreme Court’s decision, allowing the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians and Syrians, clears the way for the Department of Homeland Security to take away protections—the ability to live and work lawfully in the US—from individuals and families who fled natural disasters and other humanitarian crises. An American dream deferred is the only way to describe this travesty of justice as we approach the celebration of our nation’s independence.
These protections kept Haitian and Syrian TPS holders, established community members, from being separated from their family members here and forced to return to danger. Our Haitian and Syrian community members could now be put at risk. As Dr. Gabeau, Executive Director of MIC Partner Immigrant Family Services Institute (IFSI), wrote, "Given the dire situation in Haiti and Syria, there is no way these countries can safely receive or reintegrate families who have built their lives here and have become part of the fabric of our communities. Sending families back to countries facing violence, insecurity, displacement, and instability is not only unrealistic; it is inhumane."
This decision creates profound legal uncertainty for Haitian and Syrian individuals and families who have relied on TPS protections to live and work lawfully in the United States. MIC's Legal Program remains committed to supporting our Haitian and Syrian community members as they navigate the complex and rapidly changing immigration landscape.
The most compassionate and patriotic act you can do today is to support our emergency assistance program that provides basic needs to immigrants throughout Massachusetts who are struggling to survive during these challenging times.
The American dream still lives as long we stand in solidarity with our immigrant community.
In solidarity,
Frank DeVito
Executive Director
