Haitians Losing U.S. TPS Look to Canada Amid Border Risks
After the termination of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians, many are considering migration to Canada, where they face uncertain legal outcomes and potential detention under a 2023 U.S.-Canada agreement.
More than 330,000 Haitians who had lived in the United States under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) saw the program end on Aug. 5, prompting some to explore relocation to Canada, especially the French-speaking province of Quebec. The move follows statements from the Trump administration urging former TPS holders to depart the United States.
Under a March 2023 agreement between the United States and Canada, migrants who cross the border illegally are typically taken into custody by U.S. immigration authorities and may be deported, although those who avoid immediate capture can later apply for refugee status in Canada. >"The stakes are so high at the border and a lot of people are not very well informed," said Jenn McIntyre of the Canada-U.S. Border Rights Clinic. >"The consequences are profound."
Canadian officials have noted a rise in Haitian arrivals, while migrant-rights groups say they lack precise data but observe growing interest since the TPS termination was announced. The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada recorded 1,734 Haitian protection claims in the first quarter of this year, though more recent figures were unavailable.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security declined to comment on whether Immigration and Customs Enforcement will target former TPS holders, but indicated that volunteers who leave may receive a $2,600 payment and a free flight home. DHS described TPS as a temporary measure, stating it had functioned as a de facto amnesty program.
Legal experts note that loss of TPS also ends work authorization, forcing many Haitians to either remain undocumented or seek new residence elsewhere. >"As policies change, as people are stripped of their status, as this chaos unfolds, if people no longer feel safe in the United States, of course they're going to come to Canada," said Julia Sande, an immigration attorney with Amnesty International.
In Massachusetts, where roughly 45,000 Haitians lost TPS, community advocates say families are weighing options such as asylum in Canada despite the challenges of relocation. >"Everyone is still trying to figure out what's best for them and their families now," said Sarang Sekhavat, chief of staff for the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition.
Canada’s asylum system allows individuals who remain undetected for two weeks after an illegal crossing to apply for refugee protection, a loophole that has attracted human-smuggling networks offering guidance for a fee. RCMP officers on the border acknowledge the humanitarian dimension of these cases, noting the difficult choices faced by migrants.
The situation highlights the broader economic and social impact of the TPS termination, with former TPS workers having contributed billions in taxes and payroll to the U.S. economy.