Mamdani asks Trump to restore TPS as Haitian workers lose jobs in New York
New York City Mayor ZohranMamdani has publicly called on President Donald Trump to reinstate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians, days after the city was compelled to let go of dozens of municipal employees whose work permits lapsed under the program’stermination.
Speaking to reporters this week, Mamdani said he had spoken with Trump directly and stressed that restoring the status matters not only for the affected families but for the city’s economy as a whole. According to Diario Libre, the mayor argued that Trump is the only person with the authority to either extend TPS again or grant Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) to Haitians affected by the program’s end.
The appeal follows the expiration, on July 24, of work authorizations held by Haitian TPS recipients employed by the city. City Hall notified dozens of municipal workers that their positions would end as a direct result of losing that authorization, after a federal court ruling cleared the way for the Trump administration to proceed with ending the protections.
Mamdani, who campaigned on protecting immigrant communities, said the city had no choice but to comply with the new federal rules to avoid legal exposure, framing the layoffs as a step the administration was forced into rather than one it chose. He said the city moved quickly in part to avoid letting employees remain in their roles without valid work authorization, which could have further complicated their ability to stay in the country legally.
The Mayor’s Office Statement
In an official statement released by the Mayor’s Office on August 7, Mamdani said New York City had been “forced by federal law” to review the work authorization of Haitian TPS holders on its payroll and to separate from those who had not secured another legal path towork.
The statement described the Haitian community as an essential part of New York City, noting that many TPS holders have lived in the city for decades after fleeing earthquakes, famine, war, and political violence, and have since built families, businesses, and careers in health care, construction, and hospitality, among other fields.
Mamdani reiterated in the statement that only President Trump has the power to restore TPS or grant Deferred Enforced Departure, and said doing so would give families, employers, and communities immediate certainty while reflecting an immigration policy that is both orderly and compassionate.
The Mayor’s Office also said the city would support affected TPS holders through free legal consultations to assess eligibility for other forms of work authorization, along with help navigating health insurance and other resources. Every affected employee, the statement said, is being connected with agency staff to review their options, including non-disciplinary separation, pathways back to their jobs if their work authorization is restored, and continued support throughout the process.
