Key Takeaways
• Walmart laid off immigrant workers in Florida after Supreme Court allowed ending TPS and humanitarian parole on May 30, 2025.
• Over 850,000 immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela lost work authorization, impacting retail and hospitality sectors.
• Employers like Disney also paused jobs; impacted workers should seek legal advice and monitor immigration status closely.
Walmart Layoffs of Immigrant Workers After Supreme Court Ruling: What It Means for Florida and Beyond
In early June 2025, Walmart began letting go of immigrant workers at several Florida stores. This move followed a major decision by the Supreme Court that allowed the Trump Administration to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and other protections for hundreds of thousands of immigrants. The layoffs have sent shockwaves through Florida’s workforce, especially in communities with large immigrant populations. As more employers follow Walmart’s lead, many families are left uncertain about their future in the United States 🇺🇸.
This article explains what happened, why it matters, and what it means for workers, employers, and communities across the country.
Who Is Affected and Why?
The recent Walmart layoffs target employees who no longer have valid work permits. These workers lost their legal right to work after the Supreme Court’s decision on May 30, 2025. The ruling allowed the Trump Administration to end two key programs:
- Temporary Protected Status (TPS): This program lets people from certain countries stay and work in the United States 🇺🇸 if their home countries are unsafe due to war, disaster, or other emergencies.
- Humanitarian Parole: This is a special permission that lets some people enter and stay in the United States 🇺🇸 for urgent reasons, like escaping violence. It’s usually given for a short time and often requires a U.S. sponsor.
The Supreme Court’s decision directly affected more than half a million immigrants, mostly from Cuba 🇨🇺, Haiti 🇭🇹, Nicaragua 🇳🇮, and Venezuela 🇻🇪. Most of these people live in Florida, and many work in retail, hospitality, and construction—industries that rely heavily on immigrant labor.
What Did the Supreme Court Decide?
On May 30, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled that the Trump Administration could end the humanitarian parole program for over 500,000 immigrants. The Court also allowed the Administration to revoke TPS for about 350,000 Venezuelan immigrants. These decisions mean that people who were legally living and working in the United States 🇺🇸 under these programs now risk losing their jobs and possibly being deported.
The Trump Administration argued that these programs were “poorly vetted” and claimed they could threaten public safety. The Department of Homeland Security called the end of these programs “a necessary return to common-sense policies, a return to public safety, and a return to America first.”
How Did Walmart Respond?
Walmart, one of the largest employers in the United States 🇺🇸, started dismissing workers at several Florida stores who could not show updated work permits. The company told employees that they needed valid federal work authorization to keep their jobs. If they could not provide new documents, they would be let go.
Walmart’s actions are tied to the I-9 form, which all U.S. employers must use to check if workers are allowed to work in the country. You can find the official I-9 form and instructions on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.
Walmart did not say exactly how many workers were affected, but reports confirm that layoffs happened in at least two Florida stores. The company said it was following federal law and making sure all employees had the right paperwork.
Other Employers Take Similar Steps
Walmart is not alone. Walt Disney Co. also told 45 employees in Florida—mostly Venezuelan nationals under TPS—that their jobs would be put on hold. Disney said these workers would keep their benefits while on leave. The company explained that it wanted to follow the law and protect employees from working without proper authorization.
Disney’s statement showed concern for its workers: “We are committed to protecting the health, safety, and wellbeing of all our employees who may be navigating changing immigration policies and how they could impact them or their families.”
Why Florida Is Hit Hardest
Florida is home to about 400,000 of the 530,000 immigrants who received humanitarian parole. Central Florida, in particular, has a large Venezuelan community. Many local businesses depend on immigrant workers, especially in retail, hotels, and construction.
The sudden loss of legal work status for so many people is making it even harder for these industries to find enough workers. Florida was already facing labor shortages, and these layoffs could make the problem worse.
What Is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?
Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, is a program that lets people from certain countries stay and work in the United States 🇺🇸 if their home country is unsafe. The U.S. government decides which countries qualify for TPS. People with TPS get protection from deportation and can apply for work permits.
TPS is different from humanitarian parole. TPS covers whole groups of people from certain countries, while humanitarian parole is given to individuals for urgent reasons.
You can learn more about TPS and see which countries are currently designated on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services TPS page.
Legal Challenges and What Happens Next
Even though the Supreme Court made its decision, some lower courts are still hearing cases about the Trump Administration’s efforts to end humanitarian parole. This means that the situation could change again, depending on future court rulings.
Many immigrants who lost their status have applied for other protections, like asylum or permanent residency (a green card). However, these applications take a long time to process. While they wait, many people are left in a difficult position—they cannot legally work, but they also cannot leave the country easily.
How Do These Changes Affect Workers and Families?
The Walmart layoffs and similar actions by other employers have real consequences for workers and their families. Losing a job means losing income, health insurance, and stability. Many of these workers have children in school and deep ties to their communities.
Some key impacts include:
- Loss of income: Families may struggle to pay for rent, food, and other basic needs.
- Uncertainty: Workers do not know if they will be able to stay in the United States 🇺🇸 or if they will be forced to leave.
- Emotional stress: The fear of losing legal status and being separated from family members causes anxiety and worry.
- Community disruption: Local businesses and schools may feel the effects as families move away or face hardship.
What Should Affected Workers Do?
If you are affected by these changes, here are some steps you can take:
- Check your immigration status: Make sure you know if your work permit or TPS is still valid.
- Talk to an immigration lawyer: Get advice about your options. You may be able to apply for asylum, a green card, or another form of protection.
- Stay informed: Watch for updates from the government and trusted news sources.
- Keep your documents safe: Make copies of all your important papers, including your I-9 form, work permit, and any letters from your employer.
- Reach out for help: Community organizations and legal aid groups may offer support.
Employers’ Responsibilities and Risks
Employers like Walmart and Disney must follow federal law when hiring workers. They are required to use the I-9 form to check if employees are allowed to work in the United States 🇺🇸. If they keep workers who do not have valid documents, they could face fines or other penalties.
At the same time, employers are trying to balance legal requirements with concern for their workers. Some companies, like Disney, are offering benefits or paid leave to affected employees while they sort out their immigration status.
Broader Implications for the U.S. Workforce
The Walmart layoffs are just one example of how changes in immigration policy can affect the entire country. Many industries depend on immigrant workers, especially in states like Florida. When large numbers of people lose their legal right to work, it can cause:
- Labor shortages: Businesses may struggle to find enough workers, leading to higher costs and slower service.
- Economic impact: Families with less income spend less money, which can hurt local economies.
- Social tension: Communities may feel divided over immigration issues, especially when families are separated or forced to leave.
Political Debate and Policy Changes
The Trump Administration has defended its actions as necessary for public safety and national security. Supporters say that ending TPS and humanitarian parole is about enforcing the law and protecting American jobs.
Critics argue that these policies hurt families, disrupt communities, and make it harder for businesses to find workers. They point out that many TPS holders and parolees have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for years, pay taxes, and contribute to society.
The debate over immigration policy is likely to continue, with future court cases and possible changes in the law.
What Are the Next Steps for Immigrants?
For many affected immigrants, the path forward is uncertain. Some may be able to apply for asylum or other forms of protection, but these processes are slow and complicated. Others may have to leave their jobs and possibly the country.
If you are in this situation, it is important to:
- Seek legal advice: Only a qualified immigration lawyer can help you understand your options.
- Stay connected: Join community groups or support networks that can offer help and information.
- Monitor official updates: Check the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website for the latest news and forms.
Community Response and Support
Many community organizations in Florida and other states are stepping up to help affected families. They offer legal clinics, food assistance, and emotional support. Local leaders are also speaking out about the need for fair and humane immigration policies.
Conclusion: A Time of Uncertainty and Change
The Walmart layoffs following the Supreme Court’s decision mark a turning point for many immigrant workers in Florida and across the United States 🇺🇸. As reported by VisaVerge.com, these actions show how quickly changes in immigration law can affect real people’s lives. Employers, workers, and communities are all trying to adjust to new rules and uncertain futures.
If you or someone you know is affected, remember that you are not alone. There are resources and people who can help. Stay informed, seek legal advice, and take steps to protect yourself and your family during this challenging time.
For more information about your rights and responsibilities as an immigrant worker, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s page on immigrant worker protections. This official source provides up-to-date guidance on employment rights, work authorization, and what to do if you lose your job due to changes in immigration status.
The coming months will be critical for many families and businesses. Staying informed and prepared is the best way to face these changes together.
Learn Today
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) → A program allowing immigrants from unsafe countries to live and work legally in the U.S. temporarily.
Humanitarian Parole → Special permission for temporary U.S. stay due to urgent humanitarian reasons, often with a U.S. sponsor.
Form I-9 → An official document employers use to verify workers’ legal authorization to work in the United States.
Supreme Court Ruling → The May 30, 2025 decision that ended TPS and humanitarian parole for hundreds of thousands of immigrants.
Work Authorization → Government-issued permission allowing immigrants to legally work in the United States.
This Article in a Nutshell
Walmart began layoffs in Florida following the Supreme Court ruling ending TPS and humanitarian parole. This threatens thousands of immigrant workers’ livelihoods and creates uncertainty in key labor markets relying on immigrant labor across the U.S.
— By VisaVerge.com
