New York health workers warn of caregiver crisis if TPS for Haitians ends
Unions and care providers say the loss of Haitian TPS holders would deepen staff shortages in nursing homes, home care and disability services.
NEW YORK, United States. Frontline healthcare workers joined employers and advocates at the headquarters of the union 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East on Friday, July 10, to warn of a caregiver crisis in New York if Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians ends.
“This is a cruel, heartless and inhumane policy that will rip parents away from their children and devastate whole communities,” said Andy Cassagnol, executive vice-president of 1199SEIU, which has more than 450,000 members. “Who will care for our seniors and individuals living with disabilities if TPS ends?”
Last month the US Supreme Court sided with the Trump administration in Mullin v. Doe, allowing it to proceed with ending TPS for thousands of Haitian and Syrian nationals.
With at least 50,000 TPS holders working in US healthcare, 1199SEIU warned the 6-3 decision would “worsen existing staff shortages” and disrupt long-term caregiving relationships.
Workers’ voices
A Haitian nursing home housekeeper with TPS, who asked not to be named, said she takes two buses to work each morning. “I cannot return to Haiti. It is not safe. I’m afraid that I would be killed if I return,” she said.
Sabine French said her 91-year-old mother relies on a home care aide who holds TPS. “My mother is terrified of losing Murtha,” she said.
Providers’ warnings
Kevin Thomas of the New York State Association of Health Care Providers said: “Washington may see immigration policy. We see cancelled visits, disrupted relationships, exhausted family caregivers, and vulnerable New Yorkers wondering whether someone will be there tomorrow.”
Nancy Hagans, president of the New York State Nurses Association, said nurses stood “in solidarity with Haitian TPS holders.” Sebrina Barrett of LeadingAge New York called the end of TPS “a blow to the ageing services sector.”
Mike Alvaro of CP State said TPS holders make up almost 10 per cent of the disability workforce in some parts of the state, and urged New York’s congressional delegation to back H.R. 1689 and H.R. 9523.
On July 10, US Citizenship and Immigration Services told employers to use July 24, 2026, as a placeholder expiry date for Haitian TPS holders’ work authorisations. 1199SEIU said court orders preserving TPS and work authorisation remain in effect until lifted.
