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Healthcare Workers Condemn “Heartless” Decision to End TPS For Haitian Refugees

Massachusetts largest and fastest growing healthcare union blasts Trump Administration decision that hurts thousands of Haitians living and working in the Commonwealth

Boston, MA (November 21, 2017) –Filaine Deronnette, Vice President of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, issued the following statement in response to the Trump Administration’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitian refugees:

“The decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 58,000 Haitian refugees is deeply troubling and misguided. Such a reckless and heartless end to this crucial program hurts our economy and jeopardizes the lives of thousands of Haitians in the U.S. – including over 4,300 living here in Massachusetts. Rather than making us safer, this decision will rip apart families and force individuals to return to potentially life-threatening conditions in Haiti - particularly due to subsequent natural disasters, the recent cholera outbreak and ongoing food shortages. Given these facts and the many contributions Haitians are making in healthcare and to our communities, the Trump Administration should extend TPS.”

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Representing more than 56,000 healthcare workers throughout Massachusetts and over 400,000 workers across the East Coast,1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. Our mission is to achieve affordable, high quality healthcare for all. 1199SEIU is part of the 2.1 million member Service Employees International Union.