Welcome to the first issue of the La Familia Community Partners monthly update. Each month, we bring pastors, nonprofit leaders, and community advocates across Palm Beach County a plain-language look at what's changing in immigration law, what's happening locally, and a practical tip to share with the people you serve.
This Month in Immigration Law
TPS for Haiti has ended. In June, the Supreme Court ruled 6–3 that the administration could end Temporary Protected Status for Haitian and Syrian nationals, and a lower court confirmed in early August that Haiti's TPS designation has officially terminated. This affects a large number of families in Palm Beach County. If you or someone you know has TPS from Haiti, it's important to talk to an immigration attorney now about whether another form of status may be available before protections run out.
New green card form required starting September 18. USCIS is rolling out a revised Form I-485 (the application to adjust status) with no grace period — anyone filing on or after September 18, 2026 must use the new version, which includes updated public charge questions. Older forms will likely be rejected after that date.
A federal court blocked a visa suspension covering 75 countries. In August, a federal district court struck down a State Department policy that had suspended immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries, finding it exceeded the Secretary of State's legal authority. This may reopen visa processing for some families — worth checking current status with an attorney if you were affected.
Public charge guidance updated. USCIS published new guidance in mid-August on how officers will evaluate "public charge" now that the 2022 rule has been rescinded — this affects certain green card and visa applications.
Right Here in Palm Beach County
In early July, a five-day, multi-agency enforcement operation across Palm Beach County resulted in 309 arrests — one of the largest such operations the county has seen. It involved ICE, U.S. Border Patrol, the Florida Highway Patrol, and the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, working together under the federal 287(g) program.
That program matters because of how far it's spread: nearly every police department in Palm Beach County — 19 of the county's 20 agencies — has now signed a 287(g) agreement with ICE. In practice, this means local police officers, not just federal agents, may now be involved in immigration enforcement during routine stops.
Worth sharing: If you haven't already, review our Know Your Rights guide with your congregation or organization — and share it with anyone who drives regularly in the county.
Immigration Tip of the Month: Build a "Just in Case" Folder
One of the simplest things a family can do is put together a folder — physical or digital — with the documents that matter most in an emergency:
- Copies of ID and any immigration documents (for every family member, including children)
- Any A-number(s), written down and shared with a trusted contact
- Proof of time in the U.S. (leases, pay stubs, school records)
- The name and phone number of a trusted immigration attorney
- A short written plan for who will care for children if a parent is detained
Encourage the families you work with to put this together before they need it, not after.
Save the Date: September Community Breakfast
Monday, September 28, 2026 · 10:00 AM
Pedro L. Salim Law Firm · 1776 Lake Worth Road, Suite 203, Lake Worth Beach, FL 33460
Come connect with other pastors, nonprofit leaders, and advocates from across the county — this is where we compare notes and coordinate as a network.
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Join the network to get this update every month, plus real-time alerts and an invitation to our monthly breakfast.
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