Immigration Policy Update: TPS, Work Authorization, and Health Care Coverage

As federal immigration policy continues to evolve, employers, healthcare providers, and immigrant families face increasing uncertainty regarding work authorization and access to essential benefits. On August 7, Hodgson Russ partners Roopa R. Chakkappan and Chelsea N. Latta presented the webinar, Immigration Policy Update: TPS, Work Authorization, and Health Care Coverage, providing attendees with a timely overview of recent developments affecting Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders and immigrant communities.

During the program, Chakkappan and Latta examined the latest actions impacting TPS, including significant federal policy changes and recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions involving TPS and birthright citizenship. They discussed the practical implications of TPS terminations for nationals of Haiti and Syria, with a particular focus on employment authorization and compliance considerations for employers.

The webinar also explored the intersection of immigration status and healthcare access, addressing Medicaid eligibility, New York's Essential Health Plan, and the healthcare options available to individuals whose TPS has expired or who otherwise lack lawful immigration status. In addition, the partners reviewed the health coverage provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill and analyzed the potential effects on immigrant communities and healthcare providers navigating an increasingly complex regulatory environment.