An Urgent Call to Action

The ruling by the Supreme Court allowing the federal government to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitian immigrant neighbors across Massachusetts will create significant harm to individuals, families, employers, and communities in our region. According to a Boston Globe article, "while exact municipal or county level statistics for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders aren't officially published, researchers estimate that around 45,000 TPS holders live statewide, with tens of thousands—predominately from Haiti—residing in Central Massachusetts." 

Among other impacts, the end of this status will mean the loss of employment for many immigrants who are here lawfully and who form a vital part of our local economy. In Central MA, Haitian workers are a critical presence in healthcare, elder care, and hospitality — industries our region depends on. Their removal from the workforce would leave hospitals, nursing homes, and businesses scrambling to fill essential roles, threatening the stability of services that all Central MA residents rely on.

United Way of Central Massachusetts, in partnership with the Healey-Driscoll Administration, is activating our local United Response Fund to mobilize resources and address the significant disruption and urgent needs that our Haitian neighbors will experience when their Temporary Protected Status expires.

Funds raised will support organizations on the front lines in Central Massachusetts to deploy emergency financial assistance to individuals and families, ensuring they can access basic needs such as food, housing, healthcare, and childcare.