Attorneys general from 18 states join forces to make the Appeals Court understand that ending the TPS program for Haiti would tear families apart, devastate state economies, and endanger public safety.
Eighteen attorneys general — representing 17 American states and the District of Columbia (Washington D.C.) — have filed an amicus brief in the case Miot v. Trump before the federal court of the District of Columbia to support Haitian beneficiaries of the TPS program. These states are: Massachusetts, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington State, along with the District of Columbia.
An amicus brief — Latin for “friend of the court” — is a document filed by a party not directly involved in a lawsuit to provide the court with information or arguments that may help inform its decision. In this case, the attorneys general of 18 states have decided to speak with one voice to show the court the concrete consequences that the suppression of TPS would have on their states and communities.
Massachusetts Leads the Fight
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell is leading this coalition. This is not surprising, since Massachusetts is home to one of the largest Haitian communities in the country, with more than 15,000 Haitian TPS beneficiaries living and working there.
Ms. Campbell stated: “Haitian TPS beneficiaries in Massachusetts are active members of our economy. They often fill critical roles in the healthcare and elder care industries. The Trump administration’s attack on Haiti’s TPS designation has no rational basis and is yet another example of its mistreatment of immigrant communities that make our Commonwealth and our country stronger.”
She added: “I will continue to fight against these unlawful policies that harm our economy and threaten the well-being of approximately 15,000 Haitian TPS beneficiaries in Massachusetts, along with their families, their patients, and the employers who depend on them.”
What Does the Amicus Brief Say?
In this document, the coalition of attorneys general advances several concrete arguments demonstrating why ending the TPS program for Haiti would directly harm the states.
First, family separation. Several hundred thousand Haitian TPS beneficiaries have children, spouses, or partners who are U.S. citizens. If these beneficiaries are deported, these families will be torn apart. American children will lose their parents. This is irreparable harm.
Second, the economic impact. Haitian TPS beneficiaries contribute $4.4 billion annually to the American economy. Sixty-nine percent (69%) of Haitian immigrants aged 16 or older are part of the civilian labor force. They work in healthcare, construction, hospitality, and other sectors where the country needs workers. A recent study shows that 75,000 Haitian TPS beneficiaries work in industries facing worker shortages.
In Massachusetts alone, the Department of Developmental Services employs several dozen Haitian TPS beneficiaries who provide care to the state’s most vulnerable individuals. Approximately 2,000 home care workers would lose their work authorization if TPS ends.
Third, public safety. The coalition explains that people with legal status are more likely to report crimes — even when they are victims themselves. If the legal status of TPS beneficiaries is removed, these individuals will no longer report crimes for fear of being arrested by ICE. This would make the entire community less safe.
The attorneys general note in their brief that the U.S. State Department itself classifies Haiti as a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” country — the highest danger level — due to “kidnapping, crime, terrorist activities, civil unrest, and limited healthcare.” The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prohibits commercial flights from traveling there as part of their operations.
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