Thursday, October 1, 2026
Lawmakers representing Elmont, home to a large Haitian American population, are condemning a U.S. Supreme Court decision on June 25 allowing the Trump administration to move forward with terminating Temporary Protected Status for Haitian recipients.
Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages her brother, Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages, who are of Haitian heritage, said the ruling threatens families who have built lives in the United States and could have significant humanitarian and economic consequences for Long Island.
U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen weighed in as well, saying the decision “puts our friends’ and neighbors’ lives at risk,” and argued that it could force Haitian TPS holders to return to a country still facing severe violence and instability.
Gillen said she had “stood shoulder to shoulder” with the Haitian community on Long Island throughout efforts to oppose the termination of TPS, and has continued to advocate for protections at the federal level. She said she has “fought this termination in the courts,” and pledged continued action in Congress to extend legal safeguards.
She also described Haitian TPS recipients as “a fundamental part of our vibrant identity on Long Island,” and warned that removing them would have both humanitarian and economic consequences.
Michaelle Solages strongly condemned the ruling, calling it “a devastating betrayal of America’s values.” She said that TPS exists to protect people fleeing crises, and pointed to conditions in Haiti, including “unprecedented levels of gang violence, political turmoil, economic collapse and insecurity,” arguing that returning people under those circumstances would be dangerous and irresponsible.
Solages added that Haitian families are deeply embedded in communities across New York, and that they work as nurses, educators, small-business owners and essential workers and have built long-term lives in the United States.
The Supreme Court decision, she said, sends what she called a “chilling message” by prioritizing politics over people and undermining the humanitarian intent of TPS. Solages called on Congress to act quickly to provide permanent protections for TPS holders.
Carrié Solages said the ruling has a direct impact on his community and constituents, many of whom have lived in the United States for years, worked legally, paid taxes and built stable lives while contributing to Long Island’s workforce in health care, hospitality and other essential sectors.
TPS holders, he said, have followed legal requirements, paid taxes and become essential workers in industries such as health care, hospitality and other service sectors.
“These individuals followed the rules,” he said. “They relied on a promise under the law that, ‘Hey, if you come here, we’ll take care of you after the earthquake.’
“They relied upon promises under the law — that’s a contract. They pay taxes, they worked, they stayed at it, and now they will be forced to leave in mass, breaking up families.”
Carrié Solages warned that the decision would have ripple effects across Long Island, and that it could destabilize the local economy and create fear and uncertainty in immigrant communities.
He also emphasized that his office strongly encourages anyone seeking immigration guidance to use trusted resources rather than navigating the system alone. He urged residents to contact the New York City Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Immigration Legal Support Hotline at (800) 354-0365, or call 311 and say, “Immigration legal.”
The hotline operates Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and the last Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The service connects eligible New York City residents with trusted immigration legal help in the five boroughs, but it does not provide legal services directly or guarantee representation because of high demand.
Solages also pointed residents to the Haitian Response Initiative and other Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs partner organizations, which offeer Haitian Creole-speaking staff and additional immigration resources, including legal screenings, know-your-rights materials and guidance for families facing separation or deportation risk.
Solages urged families to seek help early, stressing that trusted legal guidance is critical as immigration policies continue to shift and uncertainty grows.
