With expired work permits, couple who fled Haiti leans on Texas church that brought them here

An immigrant couple whose employment authorization recently expired is relying on members of the Texas church that helped them flee Haiti to stay afloat while they fight deportation.

An immigrant couple whose employment authorization recently expired is relying on members of the Texas church that helped them flee Haiti to stay afloat while they fight deportation.

Sherlie and Kevenson Jean left everything behind in Haiti in 2023 as gang violence and dwindling resources took over the capital. “We chose to leave Haiti because it was unsafe — kidnapping everywhere, gang control everywhere,” said Sherlie, 29, her voice cracking. “We were living in fear … and stress.”

The Jeans legally immigrated to the United States through the humanitarian parole program during the Biden administration and later applied for Temporary Protective Status, which allows eligible foreign nationals to live and work in the United States temporarily because of unsafe conditions in their home countries.

Now, the futures of both protections are in jeopardy.