Florida home care providers employing individuals working under Haitian Temporary Protected Status (TPS) have received a brief but important reprieve.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have extended the validity of Haitian TPS-related employment authorization through July 24, 2026, following ongoing federal litigation. The extension provides employers and affected workers with an additional two weeks beyond the previous July 10 deadline while the courts continue to consider the future of the program.

For Florida’s home care community, where Haitian caregivers comprise a significant portion of the workforce, the extension offers additional time to prepare — but it does not eliminate the uncertainty surrounding the program’s long-term status.

• Related: Florida Could Lose 35,000 Caregivers Under TPS Ruling (USA Today, 7/11/26)

Why the Deadline Changed

Haiti’s TPS designation was originally scheduled to terminate earlier this year. However, a federal district court issued an order temporarily blocking the termination while legal challenges proceed. Although the U.S. Supreme Court recently issued a decision allowing the administration to move forward with ending TPS protections in related litigation, the lower court’s stay remains in effect for Haiti until additional judicial action occurs.

As a result, USCIS has confirmed that:

• Haitian TPS beneficiaries remain authorized to live and work in the United States through July 24, 2026.
• Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) issued under TPS categories A12 and C19 remain valid through that date pursuant to the court order.
• Employers and government agencies are encouraged to monitor the USCIS TPS Haiti webpage for additional updates as litigation continues.

Because the case remains active, additional court rulings or federal guidance could further change the timeline.

Significant Workforce Implications for Florida

The extension is particularly important for Florida’s health care sector.

According to the Florida Immigrant Coalition, approximately 158,000 Haitians in Florida are protected under TPS, including an estimated 113,000 individuals working in health care. Many serve in essential frontline roles throughout hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home care agencies.

Home care providers across Florida have relied on Haitian caregivers for years to help address persistent workforce shortages while ensuring patients continue receiving critical services in their homes.

Although the extension provides temporary certainty, providers should continue planning for multiple scenarios should the litigation conclude or federal policy change later this month.

What Providers Should Do Now

HCAF encourages member agencies to:

• Review employee records to identify any staff working under Haitian TPS or related employment authorization.
• Verify applicable EAD expiration dates consistent with current federal guidance.
• Consult legal counsel or qualified immigration advisors regarding employment verification requirements and compliance obligations.
• Continue monitoring federal announcements, as additional court decisions could affect employment authorization after July 24.

Employers should avoid making assumptions regarding an employee’s work authorization and instead rely on current USCIS guidance and appropriate legal counsel when addressing employment eligibility.

HCAF Will Continue Monitoring Developments

HCAF extends its sincere appreciation to Bruce Buchanan, Esq., Senior Counsel at Littler, for promptly sharing this important update with the association. His continued partnership helps ensure Florida home care providers receive timely information regarding evolving employment and immigration matters affecting the health care workforce.

As this litigation continues to unfold, HCAF will closely monitor federal developments and provide members with timely updates, analysis, and practical guidance as additional information becomes available.

In the meantime, providers are encouraged to remain informed, review their workforce records, and prepare for the possibility of further changes in the coming weeks.