Boston Bar Association Statement on U.S. Supreme Court Decision Regarding Temporary Protected Status

BOSTON, MA – Yesterday, the United States Supreme Court issued a decision in Mullin v. Doe allowing the expiration of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for certain individuals.

In response, Boston Bar Association President Suma V. Nair issued the following statement:

“This decision will create significant hardship for hundreds of thousands of individuals and their families across the country, including many Massachusetts residents who have built their lives, careers, and communities here while relying on Temporary Protected Status.

“Though the Court’s ruling applies directly to Haitian and Syrian nationals, it will most likely have broader negative implications for individuals from other countries whose TPS protections have similarly been threatened.

“Consistent with the BBA’s Immigration Principles, we continue to stand with our immigrant communities and support a fair and predictable immigration system that provides clarity for individuals, families, employers, and communities alike. As we state in those Principles,

As lawyers, and as a Bar Association, it is our special calling, privilege, and obligation to be vigilant guardians of the rule of law, and to ensure that it protects all people to whom it extends—including all immigrants—when their rights are under attack.

“The Boston Bar Association has worked alongside community organizations and legal services providers to help individuals understand their rights and navigate an increasingly complex immigration landscape. Through partnerships with organizations such as PAIR, Project Citizenship, the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, and others, we remain committed to supporting access to reliable legal information and resources.

“Congress should act to address the uncertainty, disruption, and distress that this Administration’s actions and yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling have created by passing legislation that would stabilize the TPS process and allow those seeking such protection greater certainty. The House of Representatives has already passed a bill to do so for Haitian nationals.”

The Boston Bar Association is the Commonwealth’s premier legal institution, bringing together the brightest and most influential people to lead at the forefront of the profession. Our mission is to advance the highest standards of excellence for the legal profession, facilitate access to justice, foster a diverse and inclusive professional community, and serve the community at large.