Deadline Looms as Federal Immigration Presence Expected to Expand
The rollback of humanitarian protections are heightening anxiety across the island — and Keys — immigrant communities.
Tensions are rising in Key West’s immigrant community as more information leaks into the hospitality sector about possible ICE, DHS and CBP hotel bookings ahead of stepped-up enforcement actions.
The activity is difficult to confirm — hotel chains, like airlines, routinely refuse to confirm or deny guest identities, particularly when large blocks of rooms are reserved.
However, concerned workers — mostly in back-of-the-house operations —say management has quietly warned staff to prepare.
The unease coincides with the rollback of humanitarian protections, the end of key parole programs, and a growing list of controversial federal agent shootings tied to immigration operations elsewhere in the country, amplifying fear among families already exposed to enforcement.
Countries That Have Lost Temporary Protected Status Since 2025
1. Afghanistan — TPS ended July 2025.
2. Cameroon — TPS ended August 2025.
3. Nepal — TPS ended August 2025.
4. Honduras — TPS ended Sept. 8, 2025.
5. Nicaragua — TPS ended Sept. 8, 2025.
6. Venezuela — TPS designations expired during 2025.
7. South Sudan — TPS ended Jan. 5, 2026.
8. Haiti — TPS scheduled to end Feb. 3, 2026.
9. Ethiopia — TPS scheduled to end Feb. 13, 2026.
TPS Terminations Announced but Currently Blocked or Stayed by Courts
1. Syria — Termination announced in 2025; TPS remains in effect due to court action.
2. Myanmar (Burma) — Termination announced in November 2025; effective date paused by federal court.
Countries That Still Have Active TPS (As of Early 2026)
1. El Salvador — TPS extended into at least September 2026.
2. Lebanon — TPS active.
3. Somalia — TPS active.
4. Sudan — TPS active.
5. Ukraine — TPS active.
6. Yemen — TPS active into 2026.
Humanitarian Parole Programs That Have Ended (Not TPS)
1. CHNV Parole Program — Terminated April 2025.
• Applied to nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela.
• Loss of parole removed work authorization and protection from removal unless recipients secured other legal relief.
Why It Matters in Key West
Key West’s economy relies heavily on immigrant labor in hospitality, marine trades and service industries — sectors now hearing quiet warnings about potential federal presence tied to rumored hotel bookings. With TPS protections expiring, parole pathways closed and enforcement intensifying nationwide, advocates say fear has become part of daily life for many families, even as confirmation of federal plans remains elusive.
However, a reasonable person could conclude that immigration enforcement actions are coming and that a ramp up in personnel for CBP/DHS/ICE is possible.
Confirmed Shootings Involving Federal Immigration Enforcement (Since January 2025)
1. Minneapolis, Minnesota — Jan. 7, 2026
Renée Good was fatally shot during an immigration enforcement operation involving federal agents. The incident sparked protests and an independent investigation.
2. Minneapolis, Minnesota — Jan. 24, 2026
Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and U.S. citizen, was shot multiple times and killed during a federal immigration action. Conflicting accounts of the encounter fueled national scrutiny.
3. Minneapolis, Minnesota — January 2026 (third incident)
Federal officers shot a man in the leg during a separate immigration enforcement encounter, marking a third reported shooting in the region within weeks.
4. Black Forest, Colorado — July 31, 2025
An ICE agent fired shots during a vehicle stop connected to an immigration operation. No fatalities were reported.
5. Los Angeles area, California — Oct. 21, 2025
Federal agents fired during an attempted immigration-related arrest, injuring multiple people. The incident later became the subject of legal proceedings.
Willowbrook, California — Jan. 21, 2026
A DHS agent fired during a pursuit tied to an immigration action. No deaths were reported.
What You Can Do
“When federal personnel arrive on the island, likely the most effective course of action would be to organize boycotts of those hotels and resorts that are accommodating them,” said one activist. “Tell your family, friends, and visitors which hotels to avoid when they are making plans to visit.
“But the most important thing is to not to put yourself and others in harms way… unfortunately, most of the victims of illegitimate activities by Federal immigration authorities have been engaged in lawful actions.”
For more information or to get involved, contact the Keys Immigrant Coalition, the Key West Freeze Warning, or the Key West Immigration Support Network. The ACLU of Southern California and ACLU of Florida also have numerous graphics and resources available for concerned immigrants and residents across the United States.
This is an evolving story. Watch this space.