Hundreds of thousands of immigrants from Haiti, Venezuela, and other countries are now at risk of losing their legal status in the United States. With Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and the CHNV humanitarian program both facing termination, individuals who were once protected from deportation and allowed to work legally may soon be left with no options. These policy shifts could harm families, disrupt communities, and force people out of the country they’ve called home for years.
At The Law Offices of James A. Welcome, we’re urging individuals and families affected by these changes to seek legal guidance now—before protections expire.
What Is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?
TPS is a humanitarian program that allows nationals of certain countries experiencing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or other extraordinary conditions to live and work legally in the United States on a temporary basis.
For years, citizens of countries like Haiti and Venezuela have relied on TPS to stay safe, support their families, and contribute to their communities without fear of deportation. The program is reviewed and extended by the federal government based on conditions in each country.
But as of February 3, the Trump administration announced it would end TPS protections for over 600,000 Venezuelans—with 348,000 losing their status in April and the remainder in September. Haitians are facing a similar timeline, with an estimated 500,000 individuals at risk of losing their legal protections.
What Happens When TPS Ends?
When TPS is terminated, recipients lose their legal status and work authorization, and may become subject to deportation proceedings. This means individuals who have lived and worked legally in the U.S. for years—many of whom have U.S.-born children—could be forced to leave the country or face legal action.
The end of TPS for Venezuelans and Haitians will:
— Strip hundreds of thousands of their ability to work legally
— Place thousands into removal proceedings
— Disrupt families, jobs, and housing stability
— Cause fear and uncertainty in immigrant communities across Connecticut and beyond
These sudden changes show how temporary protections can be taken away with little notice, reinforcing why legal preparedness and advocacy are more important than ever.
CHNV Sponsorship Program Also Suspended
The Trump administration has also moved to revoke protections for another 530,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela who were admitted through a humanitarian process known as CHNV.
This program was created under the Biden administration to offer lawful pathways into the U.S. for individuals fleeing crises in their home countries. Migrants were sponsored by U.S.-based supporters and granted legal entry, work permits, and temporary protection from deportation.
Now, those same individuals have been ordered to leave the U.S. before April 24, according to a recent federal notice. If they remain past that date, they could be detained or deported—even if they were following all legal requirements up to this point.
What This Means for Immigrants in the U.S.
The end of TPS and CHNV protections will have a devastating impact on thousands of families who have done everything right. Many of these individuals:
— Pay taxes and contribute to local economies
— Are caregivers, workers, and essential employees
— Have no ties left to their home countries due to political instability or natural disasters
— Have U.S. citizen children and deep roots in American communities
Removing these protections sends a harmful message: your presence is conditional, no matter how long you’ve lived here or how much you’ve contributed.
How The Law Offices of James A. Welcome Can Help
In times like these, legal representation is essential. Our immigration attorneys are actively helping individuals and families across Connecticut respond to changes in immigration policy and develop strategies for staying in the U.S. legally.
We offer:
— Consultations for TPS holders on whether other legal options are available
— Asylum screenings and filings for individuals who fear returning to their home countries
— Cancellation of removal defense for those who may be placed in deportation proceedings
— Family-based petitions and adjustment of status, where applicable
— Emergency legal planning to protect your rights and your family
With immigration policy shifting so quickly, working with an experienced attorney gives you a clearer path forward and helps you avoid costly mistakes or missed opportunities.
Take Action Before Protections Expire
The cancellation of TPS and CHNV is a call to action for anyone currently protected under these programs. Do not wait until your permit expires or a removal notice arrives—there may still be options available, but timing is critical.
Call The Law Offices of James A. Welcome today at (203) 753-7300 to schedule a confidential immigration consultation. We provide services in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and we’re committed to helping individuals and families protect their future here in the United States.
Your life, your work, your family—they all matter. Let us stand with you during this challenging time.