The Impact of Anti-Immigration Policies on Temporary Protected Status
Leaders of adversarial nations hoping to damage the U.S. economy would be pleased by steps depriving the nation of vital workers. President Trump’s anti-immigration policies aim to reduce the number of immigrants predominantly of color. A recent move seeks to remove legal status from over 300,000 Haitian immigrants and about 50,000 from other countries living under Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
A Supreme Court ruling in June permits revocation of these workers’ permits, beginning deportation processes as of July 27. This decision negates a lower court’s finding that the move showed ‘racial animus’. As a result, employers have started dismissing Haitian employees who lost TPS protection.
President Trump has criticized unauthorized immigrants, dubbing them a threat. He emphasized an alleged invasion and used dehumanizing language previously associated with offensive historical contexts. In contrast, a Northwestern University study from 1870-2020 reveals immigrants are less likely to engage in criminal activities than U.S.-born individuals.
The TPS program, established under bipartisan support and signed into law by President George H.W. Bush in 1990, stops deportations to countries reeling from natural disasters or conflicts. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce urges Congress to uphold TPS to prevent disruptions in the workforce and avert a humanitarian crisis.
Since its inception, TPS has allowed over 1 million immigrants to legally remain in the U.S., with 70% contributing to the workforce, particularly in challenging-to-staff low-wage roles. Many TPS beneficiaries have resided in the U.S. for decades, with families including 390,000 children and over 410,000 adults who are American citizens.
Revoking TPS for Haitian and other immigrants risks destabilizing various sectors. Immigration-related layoffs could harm U.S. citizens, leading to increased consumer prices, business closures, and insufficient healthcare staffing. Fewer homes could worsen affordable housing shortages, creating broader economic challenges.
No sensible justification exists for these policies. The impact of these decisions displaces many Black immigrants from Haiti, Ethiopia, Somalia, and South Sudan. Trump’s previous derogatory remarks about black-majority nations further underscore considerations in these policies. Additionally, the refugee admission numbers have plummeted from over 100,000 during President Biden’s tenure to a scant 6,700 since 2025, with a majority from white-dominated South Africa.
The U.S. thrives due to its rich diversity. Our nation, celebrated for welcoming immigrants, faces contradictions under these policies. The Statue of Liberty’s inscription reflects this spirit of inclusion, a sentiment at odds with the current administration’s stance. The potential economic and cultural harm from reducing diversity and immigrant contributions cannot be ignored.
A. Scott Bolden is an attorney, NewsNation contributor, past chair of the Washington, D.C. Democratic Party, and a former New York state prosecutor.