A Haitian family, reunited after a decade apart, now fears being torn apart again as the U.S. government moves to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians, a decision tied to President Trump’s immigration policies. The termination could force the mother and daughter back to Haiti, where gang violence has created a humanitarian crisis.
Marven, a 16-year-old boy, was adopted from Haiti by Stacey Nageli Angulo after the devastating 2010 earthquake. Three years ago, Stacey helped reunite him with his biological mother, Guerline, and sister, Rochelle, who came to the U.S. under TPS. They now live in Lakeland, Florida, where Marven enjoys spending time with them, but their future is uncertain.
Temporary Protected Status, which provides legal residency for people from countries affected by disaster or conflict, is set to end for Haitians in February. The Trump administration argues that conditions in Haiti have improved, but the U.S. State Department still advises against travel due to high levels of crime and violence.
Guerline and Rochelle, whose names have been changed for safety, work legally in the U.S.—Guerline in a hotel and Rochelle at a supermarket and nursery. Rochelle dreams of becoming a nurse, but she fears returning to Haiti, where she witnessed kidnappings and daily violence before leaving.
Haiti is experiencing severe gang violence, with the United Nations reporting that a tenth of the population has been displaced. Rochelle receives harrowing videos from friends and relatives showing bodies being burned and shootouts, reinforcing her terror at the thought of going back.
Stacey, who voted for Trump in past elections, is appalled by the policy. She believes in enforcing immigration laws but finds it “unthinkable and unconscionable” to deport people to such dangerous conditions. Her story highlights the personal conflicts within Trump’s voter base.
The Department of Homeland Security states that TPS for Haitians is no longer in U.S. interests, citing difficulties in vetting migrants and obtaining information from Haitian authorities. A spokesman accused the program of being abused, though lawyers say few alternatives exist for those affected.
This case is part of a broader trend, as the U.S. has ended TPS for several countries this year, including Afghanistan and Venezuela. Legal challenges have delayed some terminations, but many fear going underground if deported. For Marven and his family, the impending decision casts a shadow over their reunion. “I love my sister very much,” Marven says. “I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to her.” Their story underscores the human impact of immigration policies on families striving for safety and stability.
