The Haitian community in Salisbury is facing heightened anxiety following the recent termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti. TPS was initially granted to Haitians in 2010 after a devastating earthquake, and it has now been revoked amid ongoing political and social turmoil in Haiti, which is marked by violence from armed gangs and instability.
Niambi Carter, an associate professor at the University of Maryland, specializes in U.S. Haitian refugee policy and has observed a long-standing reluctance among U.S. authorities to recognize the claims of Haitian refugees. “The country has become even more unstable than it already was, and I think TPS fits into this larger story because there has been an unwillingness to really allow Haitians an opportunity to become citizens,” Carter said.
Carter discussed the broader implications of TPS for Haitian migrants, noting that the program has historically allowed the U.S. to maintain control over immigration policy. “Whenever the president or the secretary of Homeland Security decides, a country can come off that list,” she explained. This uncertainty around TPS has left many Haitians vulnerable and uncertain about their future in the U.S.
While acknowledging that Haiti is not the only country to lose TPS recently—Syria is another example—Carter emphasized the selective nature of U.S. immigration policy. She highlighted the recent prioritization of white South African migrants, framing it as a factor that diminishes the chances of Haitian refugees being taken seriously in their quest for asylum and stability.
“When you’re talking about a country like Haiti that has had a lot of headwinds for a long time—the crushing global debt, the unrest, the political instability, and the continued meddling of the West—those factors create conditions that lead people to exit,” Carter stated. She criticized systemic barriers that prevent TPS recipients from achieving permanent lawful residency in the U.S.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has publicly labeled TPS as what it calls a “de facto amnesty program,” stating that Congress never intended for it to serve as a permanent solution for migrants. A DHS spokesperson told reporters, “What we would say now is it’s closing time, which means you don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here,” adding that those affected still have the option of receiving a financial incentive for returning to their home country.
The DHS has declined to provide specific data on arrests of Haitian nationals following the end of TPS, citing ongoing operations as a reason for confidentiality. This lack of communication has further compounded fears within the Haitian community in Salisbury, leaving many residents anxious about their security and legal status.
