INDIANAPOLIS (WRTV) For thousands of Haitians, everything changed Monday as Temporary Protected Status officially ended.The program, known as TPS, allowed Haitian nationals to legally live and work in the U.S. Now, with those p rotections expired, many face an uncertain future.The community is dealing with it, and now we are holding on to each other, says Ruth Estriplet, founder of the Haitian Grassroots Coalition of the Midwest.Estriplet says her community is fearful. She is Haitian American, and while the end of TPS will not affect her personally, she says Haitian nationals living and working in the U.S. are worried and afraid to speak out.It's a lot of confusion. There are mixed feelings, Estriplet said. It's very sad because they came here with the hope of building a home, only to be told they can no longer stay in the country theyve called home for many years. Some of them have been here since 2010.The Immigrant Welcome Center says there are tens of thousands of Haitian immigrants in Indiana, with an estimated 11,000 covered under TPS.Gurinder Kaur, chief executive officer of the Immigrant Welcome Center, says many of those affected work in essential sectors.Many of them work in the meatpacking industry and also in the logistics industry, Kaur said. They are the ones delivering packages that we receive every day, whether from Amazon, DoorDash, or other companies.The advocacy group says Haitian immigrants also have a significant economic impact through health care and startup businesses. Statewide, they contribute $209 million annually to the Indiana economy. In Indianapolis, that figure is $136 million. The group also notes that Haitian immigrants pay $28 million annually in state and local taxes.Without TPS, Haitian nationals cannot legally work and could face deportation.A lot of fear exists among our Haitian community members, Kaur said. Fear about employment. Fear about what could happen to them and their families. Deportation. Can they get arrested? Separation from their families. Those fears all exist among community members.There is also concern about the safety of returning to Haiti.Many of our immigrant neighbors, including those from Haiti, don't have the infrastructure to return safely, Kaur said. There is a lack of civil infrastructure there. The country has been devastated by earthquakes, hurricanes, and other disasters. There is ongoing civil unrest, and there is a travel advisory for Haiti.While the U.S. House passed a bill to extend TPS for Haitians, the measure is stalled in the Senate.It's a really tough situation right now in our community, and we want to thank those who have reached out and are encouraging everyone to hold on and hope for the best, Estriplet said.Immigrant advocacy groups say they remain available as a resource for those affected. ...read more read less