NY Governor Hochul Slams DHS Plan to End TPS, Citing 'Essential Workers'

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has strongly criticized the Department of Homeland Security's plan to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for individuals from several countries. In a letter to Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Hochul argued that the decision will compel New York to terminate the employment of essential workers who currently have legal protection in the United States.

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The insensitivity of abruptly ending TPS for individuals with legal status, including the recent cancellation for Haitians and the upcoming cancellation for Salvadorans, will force New York to rescind the employment of essential workers.

The governor specifically highlighted the potential impact on the healthcare sector, warning of difficulties in providing services to the elderly and others needing assistance. She stated that ending TPS for people with legal status, citing recent cancellations for Haitians and upcoming ones for Salvadorans, "will force New York to rescind the employment of essential workers." This action, she added, jeopardizes their livelihoods and potentially their safety.

Hochul also pointed out that the consequences extend beyond the individuals with TPS, affecting the communities and employers where they work. She emphasized New York's historical role in welcoming those fleeing disaster or persecution and affirmed her administration's commitment to supporting TPS beneficiaries through resources like the Office for New Americans. "New York remains committed to supporting beneficiaries and will continue to do everything possible to protect the immigrant community," she stated.

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This jeopardizes their livelihoods and potentially their safety.

The federal government has ended TPS for citizens of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Somalia, Haiti, Honduras, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, South Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen. These decisions, initiated during the Donald Trump administration, impacted over a million beneficiaries. The DHS announced that those with terminated TPS should leave the country or face deportation, offering a program called "self-deportation" with travel assistance and a financial incentive.

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New York remains committed to supporting beneficiaries and will continue to do everything possible to protect the immigrant community.