NEW YORK — Shermilla, an 18-year-old Haitian immigrant residing in Brooklyn, faces an uncertain future as U.S. immigration policies hinder her educational aspirations. Having legally arrived in the United States in 2023, she originally sought better opportunities for herself and her family, but now she finds herself in a precarious situation, emblematic of the challenges many young Haitian immigrants encounter.
At just 14, Shermilla was excelling in school in southern Haiti, where she was on track to make the honor roll. Her family decided to have her move to the United States under the Biden administration’s humanitarian parole program, believing it would lead to a better education. “In Haiti, it’s not that safe for a young girl to get up and go to school every day because of the gang violence,” she said, recalling her decision to immigrate.
Upon arriving in Brooklyn, Shermilla embraced her new life. She enrolled in high school, quickly adapted to her surroundings, and began working part-time as a youth camp counselor. She sent a significant portion of her earnings home to help her family. However, complications arose after the expiration of her work authorization, which left her in legal limbo as her application for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) remained pending.
The Trump administration’s immigration policies significantly impacted her ability to work and study. After losing her job due to the expiration of her work authorization, Shermilla was unable to secure new employment because of her uncertain immigration status. “As my mother’s oldest child, when I can’t work, they don’t get anything at the end of the month that they were hoping for,” she explained.
Despite these obstacles, Shermilla graduated high school in June 2026 as one of the top students. She applied to several colleges and received offers, including two with full tuition scholarships. However, the recent Supreme Court ruling allowing for the termination of TPS for Haitians dashed her hopes of attending an out-of-state school and being able to work during her studies.
After her application for TPS was denied just days before she was set to finalize her college choice, Shermilla’s financial situation worsened. School officials informed her that without TPS, she was no longer eligible for federal financial aid, drastically increasing her tuition burden. The alternative, an out-of-pocket payment plan, presented further challenges, leading her to feel increasingly anxious about her future.
As her peers prepared for college, Shermilla remained hopeful but aware of the mounting difficulties. “I see so many things I could be doing, but can’t because I don’t have a status,” she expressed in August. “It’s like I’m going backward.” Shermilla continues to seek employment opportunities while preparing for her first day of classes, despite the financial strains she faces.
As of early September 2026, Shermilla’s educational path remains uncertain, and she grapples with the challenges of an undocumented status in the United States while still hoping to improve her circumstances and support her family in Haiti.
