Walmart Inc., the largest retailer in the United States, has begun laying off migrant employees whose work authorizations have expired, following the recent Supreme Court ruling that allowed the Trump administration to revoke legal protections granted under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and humanitarian parole.
According to a report published by Bloomberg, the company has already informed workers in stores in Florida and Texas that they will lose their jobs if they do not provide new valid work authorization documents.
In particular, the measure affects employees from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, whose temporary permits have been deemed invalid by Walmart's internal verification system.
Employees must update their documents this month; otherwise, they will be terminated.
Some have already been dismissed, according to sources close to Bloomberg, who requested anonymity as they are not authorized to speak publicly.
The layoffs are related to the I-9 form, required by federal law to verify the identity and work authorization of all employees in the U.S.
"The Trump administration has not yet specified how it will proceed with those who lose their permission to remain in the U.S. However, immigration authorities have indicated that anyone in an irregular situation could be detained and deported," emphasized the cited source.
This movement is a direct response to the Supreme Court ruling that supports the government's decision to withdraw the immigration protections granted during the Biden administration, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of migrants with TPS.
Walmart, which has over 4,600 stores and employs 1.6 million people in the United States, is joining other companies like Walt Disney Co., which also began terminating contracts for employees affected by the loss of immigration status.
Walmart demands new permit verification following the ruling
A report from Univisión revealed that Walmart has begun to identify and notify employees whose work permits may be expiring, following the Supreme Court's ruling that allows the revocation of temporary protections, including the humanitarian parole granted during Joe Biden's administration.
The ruling also authorized the elimination of TPS for about 350,000 Venezuelans. In this context, Walmart is now requiring its employees with temporary permits to re-verify their work documents this month.
In this regard, a testimony from a Cuban migrant who entered the country with her daughter under the humanitarian parole program reached the editorial team of CiberCuba.
Both applied for legal residency after completing the required year and a day, and they provided their biometric fingerprints in February of this year. Since then, they have not received a response.
Her 35-year-old daughter had been working at a Walmart store for eight months, but on June 3—according to her mother—she was notified by the company that she could not continue in her position due to her humanitarian parole status.
"We are waiting, but we don't know what to do," wrote the woman, visibly worried about her immigration situation and that of her daughter.
Florida, epicenter of the impact: Layoffs and political pressure
According to New York Post, the layoffs at Walmart are part of a broader corporate reaction to the Supreme Court ruling, which impacts over half a million migrants with temporary legal status.
In Florida, where manyTPS beneficiaries reside, the effects are already being felt in communities that, ironically, largely supported Donald Trump in the last elections.
Other companies, like Disney, have also begun to terminate contracts; at least 45 employees have been placed on leave, according to the company, which cited compliance with immigration laws as the reason.
Meanwhile, the government has launched a campaign that encourages the voluntary departure of migrants, offering them assistance with travel and up to $1,000 to leave the country on their own.
Recently, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, launched a harsh critique against the multinational Walmart, after the department store chain announced an impending price increase on its products, attributed to the tariffs imposed by the Republican leader on Chinese imports.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump expressed his outright rejection of Walmart's decision and accused the company of using tariffs as an "excuse" to justify price increases.
"Walmart should STOP blaming tariffs as the reason for price increases throughout the supply chain," wrote the president.
He added that "Walmart made BILLIONS OF DOLLARS last year, much more than expected."
"Between Walmart and China, they should, as they say, 'EAT THE TARIFFS' and not pass anything on to their valuable customers. I will be watching, and so will their customers!" the leader concluded in a clearly defiant tone.
Trump's message responded to an announcement made days earlier by Walmart in which it communicated that it would begin raising prices in response to the tariffs implemented by the president.
The measure, which could be implemented "towards the end of this month, and certainly much more in June," according to its Chief Financial Officer John David Rainey, will affect essential products and reflects the direct impact of U.S. trade policy on consumers' wallets.
However, a month earlier, Walmart had stated that it would keep prices low, reaffirming its growth goals and relying on new sources of income to strengthen its stability.
Frequently Asked Questions about Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and its Implications for Migrants in the U.S.
What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and why is it important?
The Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a legal mechanism that allows citizens from countries experiencing humanitarian crises to stay and work legally in the United States. It is crucial because it provides protection to those fleeing armed conflicts or natural disasters. However, it does not offer a pathway to citizenship, leaving beneficiaries in a state of uncertainty when it is revoked.
How does the recent Supreme Court ruling affect migrants with TPS?
The recent Supreme Court ruling allows the Trump administration to revoke TPS protections, affecting hundreds of thousands of migrants, especially from countries like Venezuela, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Cuba. This puts many at risk of deportation and generates significant uncertainty about their future in the United States. Companies like Walmart and Disney have already begun laying off employees with expired TPS, reflecting the immediate impact of this decision.
What implications does the revocation of TPS have for businesses?
The revocation of TPS has serious economic implications for businesses in the United States, particularly in states like Florida. These companies largely rely on the migrant workforce protected by TPS. The loss of these workers could lead to the collapse of businesses in sectors such as construction, hospitality, and services, impacting both the local and national economy.
What can migrants affected by the revocation of TPS do?
Migrants affected by the revocation of TPS must act quickly to protect their status. It is recommended to seek legal advice to explore other immigration pathways, such as asylum or permanent residency, if they qualify for them. Additionally, they may consider voluntarily returning to their home countries with the assistance offered by the government, although this is not always feasible due to the conditions in their home countries.
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