Dear Friends, Supporters and Community Partners:
On Thursday, June 25, 2026, the Supreme Court issued a decision affecting Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for people from Haiti and Syria. TPS is a legal immigration status that allows people to live and work in the United States when it is unsafe for them to return to their home countries because of war, natural disasters, or other humanitarian crises.
The Court ruled that:
1. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may move forward with ending TPS for Haiti and Syria because decisions about TPS are not subject to judicial review.
2. The equal protection claim brought by Haitian TPS holders is unlikely to succeed.
At JFS, we are deeply concerned by this decision and the uncertainty it creates for thousands of individuals and families.
Our Haitian and Syrian neighbors are an important part of our community. They are our clients, coworkers, friends, and neighbors. We stand with them during this difficult time.
As a Jewish human service agency, we are guided by the values of welcoming the stranger, caring for those in need, and treating every person with dignity and compassion. Our own history reminds us of the importance of standing with people seeking safety and opportunity, and those values continue to guide our work today.
It is important to note that this decision does not take effect immediately. The case will return to a lower federal court before any changes are implemented.
During this time:
1. TPS status for Haitian and Syrian individuals remains valid.
2. Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) remain valid.
JFS is here to support members of our community who may be affected by this decision. We will continue working with trusted partners to provide information, resources, and assistance.
We encourage you to attend and share an upcoming webinar hosted by MIRA on Tuesday, June 30, at 12:00 p.m. via Zoom. This webinar will provide updates on the ruling, explain options for TPS holders, and offer guidance for Haitian community members. The webinar will be presented in Haitian Creole only.
Register for MIRA’s webinar here: Click here to register for MIRA’s webinar
We also stand with Governor Maura Healey, who said this decision “makes absolutely no sense and only serves to hurt our immigrant families, our communities, and our economy.”
Read Governor Healey’s statement here: Click here to read the governor’s statement
As the needs of immigrant families continue to grow, your support is more important than ever. We invite you to make a gift to JFS’s Immigrant/Refugee/Asylee Assistance Fund to help ensure we have the resources to provide emergency assistance, case management, and other critical supports when our Haitian, Syrian, and other immigrant neighbors turn to us for help.
Donate here: https://jfsmw.org/donate/
At JFS, we remain committed to standing with our Haitian and Syrian neighbors and with all immigrant families in our community. Thank you for standing with us.
Sincerely,
Lino Covarrubias
Chief Executive Officer