The ruling has sent shockwaves through Haitian communities in states including Florida, New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey, where many TPS holders have spent years establishing families, businesses and careers while awaiting lasting immigration solutions.

Uthy, a 32-year-old Haitian who left her homeland three years ago with her husband and child after nearly completing medical school, said she now fears detention or deportation. Living in Sunrise, Florida, she asked that her surname be withheld because of concerns over possible repercussions.

“I live in pain every single day,” she said.

Temporary Protected Status grants eligible nationals from countries affected by armed conflict, natural disasters or other extraordinary conditions protection from deportation and authorization to work in the United States. Congress established the program in 1990, but it does not provide a direct pathway to permanent residency or citizenship.

Advocates say ending TPS could have consequences extending beyond those directly affected, disrupting local economies and communities that rely on Haitian workers in sectors including health care, hospitality, construction and caregiving.

The decision also comes amid continuing debate over President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said last week that individuals who no longer have legal status in the United States should be deported.

Churches and community organizations have begun preparing to support affected families. Jean Marcellin, a Haitian American restaurant owner in New York, said many people who lose work authorization may have to depend on relatives and faith-based organizations for housing and financial assistance.

At Haitian Emmanuel Baptist Church in Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood, Assistant Pastor Ronald Eugene said congregations would seek to fill gaps left by the loss of government protections.

“This is when we, as a church, as a body, sometimes might need to step up helping,” Eugene said.

Immigration attorneys reported a surge in requests from Haitian TPS holders seeking alternative legal options, including asylum applications and employment-based immigration pathways. Allen Orr, a Washington-based immigration lawyer, said many long-term TPS beneficiaries face significant legal challenges in demonstrating new grounds for protection after spending years in the United States.

Advocates are also looking to Congress, where legislation has been introduced that would extend TPS protections for Haitians through federal law. The future of that proposal, as well as separate House legislation passed earlier this year, remains uncertain.

For many Haitian families, the court’s decision has heightened fears about their future in the United States even as community leaders continue organizing legal assistance, humanitarian support and advocacy efforts.