Valentina Lorissaint said many relatives and friends are already unable to work after losing authorization tied to TPS. She said a lot of people have been scared, just wondering what the next meal they're going to eat the next day. Residents described widespread anxiety rippling through the community, with some families afraid to leave their homes or send children to school.
Chuck Ridley, director of civic engagement for the Service Employees International Union, said the union expects hundreds of workers statewide to be affected, including nearly 20 employees in the Palm Beach County School District alone. The Palm Beach County School District said 19 District employees will be separated from employment as all School District employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Ridley said many of the workers losing TPS protections are bus drivers, custodians, paraprofessionals, food service employees and city workers.
The Florida Healthcare Association said Haitian caregivers are valued members of the long term care workforce, serving as certified nursing assistants, nurses, dietary aides, housekeepers and other essential team members. According to the Lar Management Group, the Haitian community contributes an estimated $1.2 billion to Florida's economy. TPS allows people from countries facing war, natural disasters or other unsafe conditions to live and work temporarily in the United States. The U.S. State Department currently maintains a Level 4 Do Not Travel advisory for Haiti, citing crime, civil unrest and kidnapping.