HCAF has formally urged Florida’s U.S. Senators to intervene as the February 3, 2026 termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti approaches — warning that the decision poses an immediate threat to Florida’s already-strained home care workforce and the patients who depend on it.

In a letter sent this week by HCAF Executive Director Denise Bellville, RN, BS, to Senators Rick Scott (R) and Ashley Moody (R), and copied to all members of the Florida House delegation, HCAF outlined the serious workforce, patient care, and economic consequences of abruptly ending work authorization for Haitian TPS holders.

“This action poses an immediate and severe threat to Florida’s already-fragile home health care workforce,” Bellville wrote, noting that thousands of experienced caregivers who are lawfully present and authorized to work would lose that authorization virtually overnight.

A Workforce Crisis Meets a Policy Cliff

HCAF’s letter emphasizes that Florida is already facing a historic direct care workforce shortage. According to the 2025 America’s Health Rankings® Senior Report, Florida ranks 50th in the nation for the availability of home health and personal care aides — with just 16 aides per 1,000 adults age 65 and older, compared to a national average of 62.

At the same time, Florida has the second-largest population of seniors in the country.

“Any policy action that removes tens of thousands of experienced, legally authorized workers from the labor market will have devastating consequences,” Bellville cautioned.

Haitian TPS Holders: Essential to Care at Home

The letter highlights the indispensable role Haitian TPS holders play in Florida’s home care system — particularly in South Florida, where the largest Haitian diaspora in the nation resides.

The Florida Immigrant Coalition estimates that more than 113,000 Haitian TPS holders are currently working in Florida, many as home health aides, certified nursing assistants, nurses, therapists, and support staff. Nationally, approximately 330,000 to 350,000 Haitians are protected under TPS.

“They are not just part of the workforce; they are the backbone of daily operations,” Bellville wrote. Haitian caregivers often provide culturally competent care and bridge critical language gaps for Haitian Creole-speaking patients.

The termination of TPS, HCAF warned, would strip these workers of employment authorization immediately — a loss that agencies cannot replace at scale and patients cannot absorb.

Impact Beyond Providers

HCAF’s letter makes clear that the consequences extend far beyond employers:

• Seniors and people with disabilities could face missed visits, reduced hours, or loss of services
• Family caregivers may be forced to leave the workforce to fill care gaps
• Hospitals and nursing facilities could see increased admissions
• Communities risk losing billions in economic activity tied to lawful employment and homeownership

Haitian TPS households in Florida contribute an estimated $1.3 billion annually in state and local taxes, and roughly 63,000 households are homeowners, supporting nearly $19 billion in housing value statewide.

“Terminating TPS does not merely disrupt lives — it destabilizes local economies and essential care infrastructure,” the letter states.

Calling for Immediate Congressional Leadership

HCAF urged the Senators to take immediate action to prevent the TPS termination or pursue alternative legislative or administrative solutions to preserve work authorization for Haitian nationals contributing to Florida’s health care system.

“This is not an abstract policy debate for Florida — it is an imminent workforce and patient care emergency,” Bellville wrote. “February 3, 2026 is approaching rapidly, and providers across the state are already bracing for staffing losses they cannot absorb.”

Standing Up for Providers and Patients

The outreach underscores HCAF’s continued role as Florida’s leading advocate for home care providers and the workforce that makes care at home possible. HCAF reaffirmed its readiness to provide additional data, connect policymakers with affected providers and caregivers, and work collaboratively on solutions that protect patients, families, and access to care.

HCAF will continue to keep members informed as federal developments unfold and will remain actively engaged in advocacy efforts to safeguard Florida’s home care workforce and the communities it serves.