The federal government has notified employers that employment authorization for Haitians under Temporary Protected Status remains valid until Friday, July 24, 2026.
This follows a Supreme Court decision that allowed the termination of these legal protections.
U. S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services issued the two-week notice to address widespread confusion.
Many Haitian workers hold documents listing an expiration date of July 1, 2026, according to GBH News.
More than 19,000 Haitians live and work in Massachusetts under the program. TPS was initially granted after the 2010 earthquake.
The Massachusetts Attorney General’s office and advocacy groups recently issued guidance advising companies against preemptive layoffs.
Despite these warnings, some healthcare and residential facilities have already begun removing staff members from schedules or placing them on leave.
Sarang Sekhavat, chief of staff at Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy coalition, criticized the federal government's handling of the policy shift.
"I think that the administration causing confusion about what the law is and not just not being interested in providing any kind of clarity to employers is part of the problem," Sekhavat said.
The policy ambiguity directly impacted local healthcare workers.
Nursing assistant Marie Fleurival was initially told her employment would pause on July 10, 2026, before being allowed back to work.
"I will not be able to work until further notice," said Fleurival, who works at Enclave of Franklin.
"So by July 11th, I will be placed on leave of absence. That’s what they told me."
Enclave of Franklin CEO Len Hartwell did not discuss specific employee cases but stated that the organization complies with all national employment standards.
"While we cannot comment on individual personnel matters, our company takes these responsibilities seriously and is committed to complying with all federal employment eligibility requirements," Hartwell said.
Local lawmakers are pushing for alternative legal frameworks and cautioning businesses against taking premature disciplinary actions before the federal court reviews the matter further.
"They need to be very careful in terminating anyone prior to the July 24th date," said Boston City Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune.
Louijeune noted that the fluctuating deadlines have caused disruptions across multiple employment sectors.
"I understand that the date is a moving target, and that has created chaos and uncertainty, which is the objective of this heinous administration," Louijeune said.
"But employers, especially employers who are trying to do the right thing and follow the Attorney General’s guidance — they should not be putting anyone on temporary leave or leave."
Community leaders emphasized that hundreds of thousands of individuals nationwide face immediate housing and financial instability due to the sudden regulatory changes.
"Those 350,000 TPS holders right now, nationally, who do not know what to do, have established their homes in this country for decades, they are contributing tremendously in taxes," said Pastor “Keke” Dieufort Fleurissaint, founder of the True Alliance Center.
"This is very, very critical situation for our community at this time."
