The loss of legal protection in the United States is forcing many Haitians to reconsider where they will build their future, with some reportedly exploring Canada as a possible destination.
The Temporary Protected Status previously granted to more than 330,000 Haitians expired on August 5 after a legal challenge over the Trump administration’s decision. The administration has also encouraged those whose protection has ended to leave the US.
Immigration advocates say Canada, particularly Quebec, has attracted interest from some affected Haitians because of its French-speaking population.
However, crossing into Canada outside official entry points carries significant risks. Jenn McIntyre of the Canada-U.S. Border Rights Clinic warned that migrants may not fully understand the consequences of attempting an irregular crossing.
“The stakes are so high at the border and a lot of people are not very well informed,” she said. “The consequences are profound.”
Under an agreement between Canada and the US introduced in 2023, migrants intercepted after crossing the border illegally can be returned to US immigration authorities and potentially face deportation.
While advocacy groups have reported increased interest in Canada, they said there are no dependable figures showing how many Haitians have actually travelled there from the US.
Canadian data, however, shows that the number of Haitians seeking protection has increased. The Immigration and Refugee Board recorded 7,864 Haitian protection claims in 2024, followed by 14,192 in 2025. During the first three months of this year, another 1,734 claims were recorded.
The US Department of Homeland Security has not confirmed whether immigration authorities will specifically pursue Haitians whose TPS has expired. The department said those who voluntarily return to Haiti could receive $2,600 and a free flight.
“Temporary Protected Status is exactly that—temporary,” DHS said. “For too long, TPS has been allowed to function as a de facto amnesty program despite Congress never intending it to be permanent.”
The end of TPS also removes employment protection for those who depended on the programme, leaving some former beneficiaries considering whether to remain in the US without legal status or seek a new home elsewhere.
“As policies change, as people are stripped of their status, as this chaos unfolds, if people no longer feel safe in the United States, of course they’re going to come to Canada,” said Julia Sande, an immigration attorney with Amnesty International.
The impact is particularly significant in Massachusetts, where about 45,000 Haitians are estimated to have lost TPS. Sarang Sekhavat of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition said many have deep roots in the US.
“Everyone is still trying to figure out what’s best for them and their families now,” he said. “There certainly is that kind of option, whether it’s asylum or other pathways, to go to Canada.”
Many affected Haitians have spent years or even decades in the US, establishing businesses, buying homes and raising children. Some have US-born children who are citizens.
“A lot of folks – it’s very difficult to just pick up and leave,” Sekhavat said. “The idea of going back to Haiti, for the majority of folks, is just not really an option at all.”
The prospect of returning is especially concerning because Haiti continues to face widespread gang violence and political instability. The US government currently advises against travel to the country.
Rights organisations fear the combination of the TPS termination and conditions in Haiti could push some people towards dangerous attempts to reach Canada.
