Did you lose your Temporary Protected Status? Act now.

This August, the U.S. Supreme Court authorized the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to strip Temporary Protected Status (TPS) from more than a million workers—including an estimated 51,000 healthcare workers who are currently working in vital roles across our field. If you work in a hospital, a clinic, or another healthcare setting, you likely have a colleague who is able to work and contribute to the community because of Temporary Protected Status.  

This decision is devastating given the high demand for nurses right now. Losing tens of thousands of qualified workers will exacerbate the staffing crisis, erode access to healthcare, and make it harder for nurses and healthcare workers to deliver the high-quality care they want to give their patients. 

If you are a nurse who is in danger of losing your work authorization because of changes to your Temporary Protected Status, you may have a chance to qualify for permanent employment sponsorship, which could mean a path to citizenship.  

Because nursing faces a chronic shortage, nurses (RNs and advanced practice nurses) currently holding TPS have a faster pathway to obtain an employment-based visa (either an EB-2 or EB-3 visa). These are special visa categories that employers can request. For those who qualify, this could be a life-changing opportunity. 

The process must be managed by your employer. Because WSNA does not collect immigration status for our members, we do not know who may qualify. WSNA is attempting to provide information to employers across Washington to encourage them to identify workers who may be eligible, but if you are impacted it is critical that you act now. Speak with your employer and your local nurse representative as soon as possible if you may be eligible.  

Even if you are not directly impacted, this issue affects our entire workforce, not just those currently authorized to work through TPS.  

Unfortunately, the special designation only applies to occupations like nursing with a chronic work shortage, and the eligibility requirements further narrow the potential beneficiaries. But every job saved—and every life changed—makes a difference in our workplaces and for our colleagues.