The City Council voiced unanimous condemnation of the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS)’s decision to terminate Temporary Protective Status for Haitian and Syrian immigrants

In a six-to-three decision, SCOTUS ruled that the Trump administration’s TPS determinations and the process for selecting them should generally not be subject to judicial review. The decision allows the protected status to be stripped from roughly 45,000 Massachusetts residents, many of whom are Haitian, and upends migrants’ ability to apply for asylum at the U.S. border.

Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune warned that terminating TPS will have devastating impacts on Boston and its residents. She called the court’s decision reckless and ignorant of the “very real racial animus and anti-Blackness” of the Trump administration. 

The Council followed suit, affirming unwavering support for Boston’s TPS holders and thanking Louijeune for her advocacy as the first Haitian woman to serve on the Council. They also urged the U.S. Senate to pass S. 4814, which would preserve TPS for Haitian nationals and ensure that immigration law reflects “compassion, fairness, and due process.”

Councilor Ed Flynn called SCOTUS’s decision unconscionable and said that people should not be forced to return to unsafe and unstable environments. He recalled the 2010 earthquake that devastated Haiti and the importance of the U.S. welcoming displaced Haitians, who, he said, have contributed greatly to the City of Boston for many years.

“I believe we need to show compassion for victims of natural disasters and those in need by extending TPS for the people impacted,” Flynn said. “We are a city and nation of immigrants and must always welcome those in search of a better life for themselves, their families, and those who have endured terrible natural disasters as well.

Councilor Brian Worrell added that thousands of immigrant families will lose their jobs, communities, and any sense of security for no other reason than deep-seated hatred from the federal government.

“For 250 years, elected officials in our nation have touted ourselves as a beacon of hope for the weary to find refuge, opportunity, and to be accepted and embraced for who they are,” he said. “Ending something as crucial as TPS is a violation of that 250-year-old promise.”

A spokesperson for the White House called the decision a major win for the President’s America first agenda.

“The Biden Administration weaponized TPS as a backdoor amnesty to flood the country with millions of unvetted migrants — and that loophole is finally closed. This is the latest decisive win in President Donald J. Trump’s relentless effort to end the border invasion and put American citizens first.”

Critics outside the council chambers maintain that the decision will upend the lives of one of the nation’s largest Haitian communities, many of whom work in key sectors including healthcare, public transit, and early childhood education.

Mayor Michelle Wu called the decision cruel and alleged justices were politically motivated by “the MAGA majority on the court.”

“Boston will never back down from protecting our neighbors. We urge Congress to act now to provide permanent solutions and a pathway to citizenship for TPS holders,” she said in a statement.

Boston Teachers’ Union President Erik Berg called the decision heartbreaking for the thousands of students who have built lives in Boston, contributed to its economy, and enriched its classrooms.

“Boston’s public schools are stronger because of our immigrant students, families and employees. Our educators see every day the resilience, talent, and determination immigrant students bring to school despite enormous challenges,” he said in a statement. “Instead of creating more fear and instability, our country should be providing families with the security they need to succeed.”

The Massachusetts Nursing Association (MNA), too, denounced the decision for jeopardizing the lives of more than 350,000 asylum seekers and undermining their contributions to an already strained healthcare system.

“Allowing the administration to strip TPS from these essential workers would severely disrupt care delivery, worsen workforce shortages, and directly threaten patient safety and access to care,” the MNA board said in a statement. “Haitian and Syrian TPS holders are long-standing members of our communities who work, pay taxes, and contribute meaningfully to the social and economic fabric of Massachusetts. They have followed the rules, built lives here, and earned the respect that comes with years of service. Their labor should be honored, not scapegoated.”

The Haitian Bridge Alliance will host a nationwide TPS rally on July 9 at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Massachusetts State House.