TPS, ICE And What It Means For Our Communities

So why is it so different now? The difference is tactics. Typically, the general public was unaware of ICE. They went about their business of enforcing laws quietly and professionally. They never simply profiled individual groups and areas, at least we did not focus on their operations. ICE never went in with masks. We also did not see mass sweeps of areas.

We all knew that this was a focus of the Trump Administration. In the beginning, a vast group of Americans supported going after criminals. Even back last January, ICE officials told the Mayor Leadership Council this was their intent. Americans supported this and also support that illegal immigration is an issue and needs to be addressed.

It is a public safety issue. Over the past year this focus has also shed light on the proliferation of terrorist activity, proxies and money coming into undermine our civil society. The proof is in the 600 percent rise in antisemitism and hate.

The strong-arm tactics are not what the public expected. The elimination of Temporary Protected Status, TPS for groups of legal immigrants also was not expected. TPS has been cancelled or paused for 11 countries. Round ups were also not what anyone expected. This combined with the fact that everyday Americans are now forming patrols to follow ICE and disrupt these raids has resulted in avoidable violence.

I need to add that I am tired of the left comparing ICE to the Nazis and the Holocaust. These illegal immigrants are not being sent to death camps, they are being deported. The other reality is when a person enters any country illegally, they have done so at risk. While many are hardworking, loving people there are immigrants that did it the right way. Obviously, the system needs to be fixed. There is still the fact that not one party has changed it.

Wednesday the Haitian TPS will expire. This is heartbreaking as we all know what Haiti has seen and natural disasters continue as well as political upheaval and gang violence. There are over 330,00 Haitians under TPS in the United States. They add $5.9 Billion Dollars to our economy and $805 Million in federal and payroll taxes. Many are caregivers, provide various cleaning services to hotels as well as homes, taxi drivers, mechanics, landscapers, and school assistance and other professional careers.

In Florida, there are over 168,000 Haitians that constitute over $1.5 Billion in revenue. We and New York are the two largest populations of Haitians on TPS. While we cannot put a value on the human impact of families, the impact on our economy will be felt by everyone. We are already seeing the ripple effect of many of our residents and businesses.

These are law-abiding industrious individuals that should be given an opportunity to reapply, be vetted and have their status renewed so long as they have not committed any criminal activity.

We have already seen the impacts of Venezuelan TPS status being terminated. In October 2026, the Ukrainian TPS status will also be terminated. We all need to work towards a peaceful resolution while understanding the law is the law. I pray for those that are being faced with the reality of the inaction of our government to address the issue.

Most recently, a federal judge, U.S. District Court Judge Ana Reyes temporarily blocked the Trump administration's termination of Temporary Protected Status for approximately 350,000 Haitians. In spite of a scheduled expiration. The request was granted due to a request by five Haitian TPS holders. What does this mean for Haitian TPS holders? The termination is paused while the case goes through the court system, allowing them to continue living and working in the U.S.

As always, I am available anytime for your questions, concerns, and ideas to make our City a better place on my Phone/Text at: (954) 632-5700. Or you can email me at: jcooper@cohb.org. Please visit me on my Facebook page at: Mayor Joy Cooper. Like! Follow! And share!