MIAMI — Members of 1199SEIU, the largest union of healthcare worker in Florida, are rallying across the state as part of "Healthcare Needs All Of Us" national day of action September 24 calling on Congress to protect immigrant healthcare workers and the patients who depend on them.

The action comes as tens of thousands of doctors, nurses, nursing home workers -- who were hailed as essential heroes at ground zero of the Covid 19 pandemic -- find themselves in the crosshairs of the Trump administration. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, DACA recipients, and other immigrants who have lived, worked, and paid taxes in the United States for years are being stripped of lawful status and swept into mass deportation.

The crisis is hitting Florida nursing home workers and patients especially hard where Haitian caregivers comprise a vast percentage of the workforce and long-term care team.

“These caregivers are hard-working members of our community who carry out one of the most important and difficult jobs for very low pay: providing essential daily hands-on care to our elderly and most vulnerable, frail Floridians, said Margarette Nerette, Vice President of Long-Term Care for 1199SEIU. “With facilities already critically understaffed, this will deeply harm care levels and the state’s entire term care system. And with the gangs and chaos currently ruling and ruining Haiti, a deportation order might as well be a death certificate.”

Union members are calling on Congress to immediately restore legal status for TPS holders; pass the Dream & Promise Act to create pathways to citizenship; prioritize funding for healthcare instead of blank checks for ICE raids, detention centers and deportations; and more.

To support Florida caregivers in the Healthcare Needs All Of Us campaign, call your lawmakers at (888) 558-8718.