A talented nurse and 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East member at UHealth Tower in Miami has her job back after being caught in the Trump Administration’s Temporary Protected Status (TPS) policies that have menaced Haitian and other hard-working immigrant communities nationwide. 

RN Roudeline Cipable had long completed her green card application and was awaiting approval in July when the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the administration’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for community members from Haiti and other countries. 

That policy forced UHealth Tower to terminate Cipable who had served as a caregiver for about 10 years. 

After two stressful months, the nurse finally received her green card, but was told she would need to re-apply to the hospital as a new employee with no seniority or accrued benefits. 

With her union family behind her, as well as UHT managers who knew well her work and commitment to high quality care, Cipable won back her position and benefits. 

“I’m very thankful for everyone who stood up for and with me in this fight,” she says. “It means so much after an incredibly stressful two months.  Sadly, the nightmare continues for many other Haitians and immigrant community members who are just hoping to make a living and support their families here.” 

Approximately 150,000 Haitians just in South Florida have lost TPS and now face unemployment and deportation to their home nation terrorized by gangs, rampant violence and a collapsed economy. 

Norvelin Pichardo, Acting Vice President for 1199SEIU, said the loss of TPS for workers, violent I.C.E. raids and other attacks on Florida communities launched by the Trump Administration and its allies in Washington and Tallahassee are hurting everyone, not just immigrants. 

“These are hardworking people serving the community in jobs that often nobody else would be willing to do,” she said. “And when it comes to healthcare where we have a long-standing staffing crisis, this is especially sad and dangerous. Caregivers, so many of whom are originally from other countries, but they are providing essential care to our sick, elderly and most in need. We desperately need to elect new leaders who will reverse these terrible policies and stop ruining people’s lives for political games.”