Massachusetts Governor Healey, AG Campbell, express economic and healthcare concerns after termination of Temporary Protected Status for Haitian and Syrians

BOSTON – Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell today released the following statements in response to the Supreme Court’s decision allowing President Trump to move forward with terminating Temporary Protected Status for Haitian and Syrians:  

“Today’s decision upholding Donald Trump’s cruel and harmful policy makes absolutely no sense and only serves to hurt our immigrant families, our communities, and our economy. Massachusetts stands with our Haitian and Syrian communities today and every day.  

“Donald Trump is ripping away protections from families and children who have fled devastating earthquakes, violence and other humanitarian crises to build safe, productive lives here in Massachusetts and across the country. These are people who are raising families, paying taxes, caring for our loved ones, opening businesses and filling critical jobs. Haitian and Syrian immigrants are our neighbors, coworkers, caregivers, health care workers, business owners and friends. They have become part of the fabric of our communities and a foundation of our economy. They deserve better than this, and I know our country is better than this. 

“My administration is reviewing the full implications of this decision and will continue working closely with Attorney General Campbell, community organizations, employers and state agencies to support affected families. Massachusetts will continue standing up for all of our communities and the values that make our state and our country so strong.”  

Attorney General Campbell stated “I am deeply disappointed by today’s Supreme Court ruling allowing the termination of TPS for Haitians and Syrians. This decision will have severe consequences in Massachusetts, where thousands of TPS holders fill critical roles in our healthcare and elder care industries. It will also put lives at risk by forcing families to return to countries experiencing violence, instability, and humanitarian crisis. Tearing families apart and weakening our ability to care for patients and elders in Massachusetts does not make our communities safer or stronger.    

Importantly, the loss of TPS does not necessarily mean the loss of all legal protections. Some individuals may have other immigration statuses or options available. I strongly encourage impacted individuals to seek qualified legal guidance to understand their rights. 

My office is closely reviewing the full implications of this decision for impacted families, employers, healthcare systems and communities across the Commonwealth. We will continue to work with community organizations and partners in state government to support TPS holders and their families in the wake of this devastating decision.” 

According to Campbell’s Office, there are approximately 45,000 individuals with Haitian TPS protections in Massachusetts. About 1,500 workers will be impacted in Massachusetts nursing care facilities alone — a space in which staffing shortages are already a major concern. 

Those in favor of terminating the Temporary Protected Status say that the program was designed by Congress as a short-term humanitarian measure for specific crises, that the country’s conditions no longer justify continued protection, and the TPS is not in the best interests of the United States.