Map shows states with most Haitian migrants as TPS ends

Temporary Protected Status protections for hundreds of thousands of Haitians are set to expire Monday, with Florida home to by far the largest share of those affected as communities across the U.S. brace for the loss of work permits and deportation protections.

Data compiled by immigrant advocacy group FWD.us shows Florida is home to the largest population of Haitian TPS holders, with an estimated 158,000 people covered by the program. New York follows with approximately 40,000, while Massachusetts has about 19,000, New Jersey 16,000, Pennsylvania 15,000, and Ohio 14,000.

The expiration of TPS comes after the Supreme Court sided with the Trump administration in its effort to end deportation protections and work permits for Haitians covered under the program. More than 300,000 Haitians could be affected by the high court’s ruling. Haitians who lose TPS and do not qualify for another immigration status could lose work authorization and become subject to deportation proceedings.

The Department of Homeland Security has argued that TPS was always intended to be temporary. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said DHS determined Haiti no longer met the statutory conditions required for the designation after reviewing country conditions and consulting with government agencies.

TPS allows nationals of designated countries affected by war, natural disasters, or other extraordinary circumstances to remain and work legally in the United States temporarily. The program does not provide a direct pathway to permanent residency or citizenship.

Economic Impact

The impact is expected to be felt most heavily in states with large Haitian populations. Haitian TPS holders contribute an estimated $5.9 billion annually to the U.S. economy, pay about $805 million in federal and payroll taxes, and $755 million in state and local taxes, according to analysis by immigrant advocacy group FWD.us.

Florida alone is home to an estimated 93,000 Haitian TPS workers, according to the group, with many employed in food service, agriculture, warehousing, security and healthcare-related occupations. The data estimates Haitian TPS holders contribute roughly $2.6 billion annually to Florida’s economy.

New York is home to an estimated 25,000 Haitian TPS workers, generating approximately $863 million in annual economic contributions, while Massachusetts has about 10,000 workers contributing an estimated $481 million each year, according to the organization’s analysis.

Advocates, lawmakers and business leaders have argued that ending TPS could have dire economic consequences for cities and regions that rely on Haitian workers. FWD.us estimates Haitian TPS holders contribute about $1.5 billion annually to the Miami metropolitan economy, $1.1 billion to the New York area and hundreds of millions more to economies in Boston, Orlando, Tampa, Atlanta and Indianapolis.

The prospect of increased deportations has drawn attention because of continuing instability in Haiti. Large areas of the Caribbean nation remain under the control of armed gangs, and the U.S. State Department advises Americans not to travel there because of security concerns.

Although FWD.us estimates that Haitian TPS holders contribute billions of dollars annually to Florida’s economy, the longer-term effects are likely to vary by industry. The greatest impact may be felt in sectors that already face persistent labor shortages rather than in overall economic output alone.

Healthcare is especially vulnerable because Florida has a rapidly aging population and growing demand for nurses, home health aides, and long-term care workers. If employers lose experienced staff, they could face higher labor costs, staffing shortages, and reduced capacity, potentially leading to longer wait times and increased costs for patients.

Agriculture, hospitality, and logistics could also face disruptions. Farms may struggle to replace seasonal workers, accelerating investment in automation or reliance on temporary visa programs, while hotels, restaurants, and warehouses could see higher recruitment and training costs that are ultimately passed on to consumers.

The effects would likely be concentrated in South Florida, particularly Miami-Dade and Broward counties, where Haitian communities make up a significant share of the workforce. Beyond direct job losses, reduced consumer spending in these communities could affect local businesses, housing demand, and tax revenues, amplifying the broader regional economic impact.

Trump Administration Defends Decision

The Trump administration has defended the move to end TPS protections. In a series of posts on X on July 17, DHS General Counsel James Percival said that after the government prevailed in Supreme Court cases involving Haiti and Syria, officials had been clear that “it’s closing time. You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.”

Percival also urged migrants with expiring TPS designations to leave through the administration’s voluntary departure program, writing that the final days of the designation provided “one last opportunity to accept $2,600 and a free flight home.”

Members of Congress are also seeking to create a permanent pathway to legal status for TPS recipients. The American Dream and Promise Act would allow eligible TPS holders and certain Dreamers to apply for lawful permanent resident status. After the bill stalled in committee, Rep. Sylvia Garcia, a Texas Democrat, launched a discharge petition on July 20 that would force a House floor vote if it secures signatures from a majority of House members.

There is growing concern within Haitian communities about the prospect of prolonged ICE detention and increased deportations to Haiti amid the country’s ongoing instability.

The end of TPS comes as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has prepared plans to increase enforcement operations targeting Haitian migrants once the protections lapse, according to a CBS News report citing two agency sources and internal federal documents. The report said the plans could include arrests in Ohio and deportation flights to Haiti.

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, criticized the reported plans in a post on X, calling them “AWFUL” and arguing that “ordering ICE to target an ethnic group the president has repeatedly attacked is bigotry as official government policy.” He also said TPS recipients are “the most vetted immigrants here” because they must pass background checks every 18 months, adding that “most Haitians with TPS entered legally also.”

During the 2024 presidential campaign, President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance amplified claims that Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, were stealing and eating residents’ cats and dogs. Local officials said they found no evidence to support the allegations, which drew national attention and scrutiny.

In a July 20 press release, DHS highlighted what it described as the deportation of some of the “worst of the worst” criminal migrants to Haiti, following a July 16 removal flight carrying more than 100 people. The department said those deported included individuals convicted of offenses such as child molestation, armed carjacking, drug trafficking, domestic violence, fraud and hit-and-run crimes.

In April, the House passed bipartisan legislation to extend Temporary Protected Status for Haitians for three years by a 224-204 vote, with support from 10 Republicans. The measure reached the floor through a rarely used discharge petition after bypassing House leadership, but it did not become law because the Senate did not approve it.

Contact Newsweek editors on this story: John Fitzpatrick and James Debens