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Faced with Trump’s threats, many Haitian immigrants and supporters stand firm and prepare

Umito
Faced with Trump’s threats, many Haitian immigrants and supporters stand firm and prepare

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Many immigrants, nonprofits and asylum seeker advocates appear to be holding steady and looking for ways to adapt while advising people to live their lives.

In the month since President-elect Donald Trump’s election, his mass deportation campaign has garnered media attention. Yet for those most vulnerable to its threat of deportation, a wait-and-see attitude prevails.

“That’s how it is,” said Kesnel Tonderau, who has temporary protected status. (TPS) and lives outside of Philadelphia.

“Waiting for what’s to come,” texted one TPS recipient, a Boston-based life insurance salesman. “I rely on the Lord!!”

In Florida, Robenson Bernard was among those studying his options instead of panicking. During the week before Thanksgiving, the TPS holder made an appointment with an immigration attorney in North Miami to see if he was eligible for a EB-1 visagranted to foreigners who have “extraordinary abilities”.

Contrary to initial reports after the election of Haitians flee en masseAcross the country, many immigrants, nonprofits, and advocates for asylum seekers appear to be holding on. They are exploring ways to adapt, if necessary, while advising people to live their usual lives for the time being.

Community advocates are urging Haitians to avoid panic as questions swirl about TPS, Biden’s agenda and what’s next.


Certainly, some states and cities – notably Indiana And New York City – are committed to cooperating with federal authorities at various levels, but welcoming cities like Denver, Philadelphia and Chicago are showing signs of reluctance. Some local institutions, including the nation’s second-largest school district, Los Angeles, have created ordinances and declarations oppose mass deportations. If there is resistance, these officials say, federal evictions will cost more to carry out.

Focus on preparing for the unknown, not running away

In October, the Indianapolis City Council adopted its 2025 budget, ensuring the continuation of many of its programs and events affecting immigrants, including language and leadership projects.

“(My office) remains committed to its mission of ensuring and connecting Indy residents and improving the quality of life in the community,” said Ruth Morales, director of The Office of International and Latin American Affairs.

“I think the most important thing we do is make sure we maintain the relationships that we’ve built over the years,” Morales said. “And that the community also knows that we are here.”

“With a landscape that has completely changed, many rethinkings and realignments are underway,” said Léonce Jean-Baptiste, general director of Haitian Association of Indiana (HAINDY).

Jean-Baptiste nevertheless declared that his group was not making major changes at the moment. In mid-November, Jean-Baptiste partnered with organizations in Indianapolis to develop policy strategies and decisions that would affect the local immigrant population. He felt the meeting was productive as organizations discussed possible ways to position themselves to deal with potential policies.

“However,” Jean-Baptiste said, “the options seem very limited in terms of response.”

In Springfield, Ohio – where Trump falsely accused Haitians to eat their pets – the leading Haiti-based community association recently purchased property to expand services to help residents settle into the community. THE Help and support center for the Haitian community and services like upcoming training with the Haitian Bridge Alliance on “How to Know Your Rights.”

After the racist rhetoric surrounding pets, some members of the Haitian community left Springfield for Columbus or returned to Miami, Florida, said Viles Dorsainvil, executive director of the Haitian Support Center.

“I think they (left Springfield) because they don’t know that if something is going to happen, it’s going to happen no matter where you are,” Dorsainvil said. “No matter where you are in the United States, if they decide to deport you, they will deport you.”

The center wants to help the community understand its status and help its members prepare, Dorsainvil said.

The newest Haitians among the most vulnerable

Referring to Haitian immigrants based in Ohio, who have the necessary legal documents to live and work there, Trump told Newsmax“They’re illegal immigrants as far as I’m concerned.”

In reality, most Haitians who have arrived since 2010 fall into three legal immigration programswhich are also available under different names for other nationalities.

  • Temporary Protected Status (TPS): First granted to Haitians after the 2010 earthquake, the status has been extended and expanded several times and is currently valid until February 3, 2026. It allows beneficiaries to live without fear of expulsion, work and go to school.
  • CHNV Humanitarian Parole or “Biden Program”: A limited number of individuals selected to enter the United States with a financial sponsor after January 2023. USCIS Documents It is unclear how long participants are allowed to live and work here, although two years is suggested.
  • Asylum seeker: A person seeking protection due to a well-founded fear of persecution in their country of origin. THE estimated average waiting time for almost a million asylum cases, it’s 6 years.

Recent arrivals represent just a fraction of the 1.5 million Haitians and people of Haitian ancestry who live here as legal permanent residents or U.S.-born or naturalized citizens. According to the Migration Policy Institutethe Haitian population in the United States increased by 24% between 2010 and 2022.

“Be prepared for them to become more aware of their rights as immigrants and their status,” he said. “If they have to decide (on a course of action), they will not decide out of ignorance but will have the real information and everything they need to help them make the right decision.”

He also wants people to know that if the next administration decides to revoke TPS, that decision could be challenged in court. Additionally, if the application is approved, it will not happen overnight. Immigrants must therefore continue to do what they do while others defend their interests.