The City of Key West has identified nine municipal employees whose work authorizations are set to expire under a federal Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program, potentially forcing their termination early next year, according to an internal city email chain obtained and reviewed by Above the Fold.
The move comes as tensions rise over ramped up immigration enforcement efforts sweep through the keys involving US Customs and Border Protection, ICE and even Florida Fish and Wildlife officials on land at sea. The efforts have been well documented across social media over the past several weeks.
The employees, who work in the city’s Parking, Transit, and Port departments, hold Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) that are covered by an automatic extension through Feb. 3, 2026. Without a new legal extension from the federal government, the city plans to end their employment on or around Jan. 18, 2026, to process final payouts.
The situation was detailed in a series of emails between city managers and human resources officials Tuesday. In a message sent to department directors on Monday, Human Resources Director Bridget J. Flores outlined the city’s compliance actions and support plans for the affected workers.
“Please speak directly with affected employees to ensure they understand that, if no legal extension is granted, their employment must end on January 18, 2026,” Flores wrote.
City Manager Brian Barroso praised the HR department’s handling of the situation in a follow-up email Tuesday, calling it a “challenging transition.”
“Our ability to care for and stand alongside these dedicated employees is incredibly important,” Barroso wrote. The emails were forwarded Wednesday to city commissioner and Sam Kaufman.
“This is a heartbreaking situation for these long-term employees who are integral to our community,” said Kaufman. “While the city must follow federal law, our focus must be on supporting these individuals and their families with every resource we have. We are also exploring all possible avenues at the city level to retain this vital workforce.”
You can read Commissioner Kaufman’s full statement here.
Commissioner Monica Haskell said she believes the issue will reverberate through every facet of Key West.
“It’s such a tragedy. All these people were legal until now. They had the right paperwork, were working legally, paying into Social Security, and raising their families,” said Haskell. “Now, the rules have changed, and they will be deportees. Who will fill their jobs? Not just at the city and Waste Management, but many local businesses are close to closing from losing painters, carpenters, AC technicians, laborers, landscapers, and skilled artisans. It’s not just a humanitarian crisis, but a possible economic disaster for Key West.”
Who will fill their jobs? Not just at the city and Waste Management, but many local businesses are close to closing from losing painters, carpenters, AC technicians, laborers, landscapers, and skilled artisans. It’s not just a humanitarian crisis, but a possible economic disaster for Key West.”
The city has scheduled a benefits briefing for the employees on Dec. 5 and is directing them to outside resources, including the Keys Immigrant Coalition. The city’s Employee Assistance Program also is available.
TPS is a Department of Homeland Security program that grants temporary deportation protection and work permits to nationals of designated countries facing ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or other extraordinary conditions. The status of various TPS designations is often subject to litigation and policy changes.
The internal emails show the city is monitoring a legal update released Nov. 26 but has not yet received specific guidance for its employees. Flores noted she plans to meet with the city’s legal team this week.
The City of Key West employs roughly 500 people. The potential loss of nine workers would represent a small fraction of the total workforce but could impact operations in departments responsible for parking, public transit and port operations.
Why This Matters in Key West
This internal memo reveals more than a personnel issue. It’s a snapshot of how national immigration policy collides with local reality in a community built on a diverse workforce.
The Labor Impact: Losing nine experienced employees from critical infrastructure departments—Parking, Transit, Port—isn’t just a headcount reduction. It’s a loss of institutional knowledge and daily operational capacity in a tight labor market.
The Human Cost: These are not new hires. The language from officials—”dedicated employees,” “heartbreaking situation,” “long-term employees”—indicates these individuals have been pillars within their city teams for years. Their potential departure is being framed as a community loss.
The Legal Limbo: The city’s actions highlight the precariousness of TPS. Employees and their employers are left planning for a separation that is contingent on a federal decision, creating prolonged uncertainty.
A Local Political Flashpoint: The forwarding of the email chain to Commissioner Kaufman, and his pointed statement, signals this could move from an HR matter to a commission-level discussion. Watch for agenda items regarding workforce retention and local support for immigrant families.
This is a story about the concrete consequences of policy. It’s happening now, in real time, in a small city where everyone knows each other. The deadline isn’t abstract; it’s January 18.
This is an evolving story. Watch this space.
