Press Statement  AG Campbell Issues Statement On SCOTUS Ruling Terminating Temporary Protected Status For Haitians And Syrians

BOSTON — Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell issued the following statement in response to today’s ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in Mullin v. Doe, terminating Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians and Syrians: 

“I am deeply disappointed by today’s Supreme Court ruling allowing the termination of TPS for Haitians and Syrians. This decision will have severe consequences in Massachusetts, where thousands of TPS holders fill critical roles in our healthcare and elder care industries. It will also put lives at risk by forcing families to return to countries experiencing violence, instability, and humanitarian crisis. Tearing families apart and weakening our ability to care for patients and elders in Massachusetts does not make our communities safer or stronger.    

Importantly, the loss of TPS does not necessarily mean the loss of all legal protections. Some individuals may have other immigration statuses or options available. I strongly encourage impacted individuals to seek qualified legal guidance to understand their rights. 

My office is closely reviewing the full implications of this decision for impacted families, employers, healthcare systems and communities across the Commonwealth. We will continue to work with community organizations and partners in state government to support TPS holders and their families in the wake of this devastating decision.” 

On background:    

• Today, the Supreme Court issued a decision allowing the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian and Syrian individuals. The termination is expected to impact protections after the Supreme Court formally issues its judgement, which will happen in a matter of days or weeks. We are looking to the Department of Homeland Security for more information about the implementation of this decision. 
• There are approximately 45,000 individuals with Haitian TPS protections in Massachusetts. About 1,500 workers will be impacted in Massachusetts nursing care facilities alone — a space in which staffing shortages are already a major concern. 
• AG Campbell previously joined an amicus brief urging the Court to preserve TPS protections, emphasizing the humanitarian crisis in both countries and the reliance of TPS holders on lawful, long-standing status to live and work in the United States. 
• Individuals impacted by this change may have other forms of immigration relief or lawful status available and are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified immigration attorneys or legal service providers.