The influx of Haitian immigrants has been a controversial topic in Cass County and many other communities across the United States in recent months.

Community members have expressed frustration with a lack of transparency from city officials and area businesses regarding an estimated population increase of 20 to 30 percent based on light use of city services.

While city officials are often kept in the dark about corporate happenings, attention has also turned to Tyson Foods and its Tyson Fresh Meats plant on S. CR 125 West. Haitian immigrants who spoke with the Pharos-Tribune and other media outlets said they were here or were brought here to work at Tyson, which did not respond to multiple requests from the Pharos-Tribune.

Haitian immigrants have often sought to come to the United States to escape political instability, economic crisis, and natural disasters. Since 2021, gang violence has increased exponentially, leading to a massive influx of people leaving the island.

Most Haitian immigrants in Cass County are here legally with a Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). TPS is similar to asylum seekers, although those seeking it are already in the United States, while those seeking asylum are coming to the country.

What is TPS?

The Secretary of Homeland Security may designate a foreign country for TPS due to conditions in the country that temporarily prevent the country’s nationals from safely returning, or in certain circumstances, when the country is unable to manage the return of its nationals in an adequate manner.

USCIS may grant TPS to eligible nationals of certain countries (or parts of countries) who are already in the United States. Eligible persons without nationality who last resided in the designated country can also benefit from TPS.

Once granted TPS, a person also cannot be detained by DHS based on their immigration status in the United States. TPS is a temporary benefit that does not lead to lawful permanent resident status or any other immigration status.

TPS for Haiti was set to expire last August, but was extended until February 3, 2026 by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

How to maintain TPS?

Immigrants holding the TPS designation may have it revoked if they are convicted of a felony or two or more misdemeanors in the United States. An individual must also maintain continued physical presence and continued residence in the United States.

Immigrants must also have proof of employment and re-register with TPS within a certain time frame.

To be allowed to work, immigrants must obtain an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) proving that they can work in the United States for a certain period of time.

A card, similar to a driver’s license, is given to immigrants with a work permit.

Can TPS designated people drive?

When Mayorkas extended the TPS designation for Haiti several months ago, the Department of Homeland Security also sent out a notice regarding driver’s licenses.

Individuals with a pending or approved TPS application may be eligible for certain public benefits as well as REAL ID driver’s licenses and identification cards. When applying for a federal, state, or local government benefit, individuals will be required to present documentation proving that they have applied for or are a recipient of TPS for Haiti.

They then use their EAD to apply for a driver’s license. According to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, an EAD is one of 11 valid options for an applicant to prove their identity.

Immigrants will still need to pass the usual driving assessments and vision tests to be eligible for a driver’s license.