Haitians’ Hard-Won Stability in Maryland Poultry Plants Now Jeopardized

(MARYLAND) Haitian workers in poultry plants across Maryland’s Delmarva Peninsula face fresh legal uncertainty after the end of a 2023 humanitarian parole program, raising fears of job losses and community strain.

Employers say operations remain stable for now, but early 2025 brought rising anxiety: work permits may expire within months, and families worry about income, housing, and school plans if status lapses.

What changed and why it matters

Starting in 2023, the Biden administration used humanitarian parole to allow Haitian migrants to enter and work for two years. That relief has now ended.

• The program was not renewed and, according to industry and advocacy reports, was formally ended by the Trump administration.
• Many workers are now unsure how long they can legally remain and keep their jobs in Maryland poultry plants.
• Workers who came on parole fear the loss of two-year work and residency authorization, while employers fear a sudden drop in their workforce.

Advocates say there is no new federal relief as of August 2025. Families that arrived legally under parole now face a hard choice: try to seek other protection with long waits, or risk losing status and income.

For background on parole authority and requirements, see the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services page on humanitarian parole: https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/humanitarian-parole.

Impact on plants and communities

The Delmarva Peninsula—spanning parts of Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia—is a national hub for chicken processing.

• Plants owned by Allen Harim Foods, Amick Farms, Mountaire Farms, Tyson Foods, and Perdue Farms together employ nearly 19,000 people across the region.
• Many of these jobs are open to newcomers with limited English, so Haitian workers have become central to the workforce.

Industry representatives, including the National Chicken Council, report they have not yet seen major shortages as of early 2025. But managers and local leaders worry that simultaneous loss of work authorization could lead plants to:

1. Cut shifts,
2. Slow production lines, or
3. Reduce output.

That would ripple through small towns where rent, groceries, and school budgets depend on steady paychecks.

Delmarva’s role is substantial: the region handles more than 600 million birds and produces about 4.4 billion pounds of chicken each year. Any disruption would affect grocery shelves, restaurant supply, and farm income beyond Maryland.

Working conditions on the line

Poultry processing is demanding and often hazardous.

• Haitian workers perform cutting, trimming, and packing under cold, fast-paced conditions.
• Reports describe serious injuries, including lost fingers, repetitive strain injuries, and exposure to slippery floors and sharp blades.

For many families, steady hours bring stability. But when legal status becomes uncertain, workers face a double risk: unsafe working conditions plus the fear of losing the only job that pays the bills.

Community leaders note the health toll is often hidden:

• Parents finish night shifts and still get kids to school.
• People delay medical care to save money.
• When parole ends, financial and health pressures grow, and some may feel forced into riskier or off-the-books work.

Biosecurity pressures add complexity

Maryland’s poultry sector also faces ongoing Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) risks.

• The Maryland Department of Agriculture has urged farmers to raise biosecurity, including indoor housing during high-risk periods.
• These measures protect flocks but add tasks—extra cleaning, stricter movement controls, and more oversight—that require reliable staffing.

When labor is tight, enforcing strict hygiene and biosecurity becomes harder, especially if turnover rises because workers lose authorization.

Policy landscape in Maryland

The Maryland Farm Bureau backed policies in 2024 and 2025 to expand and streamline local poultry processing.

• Proposals include state inspection programs and regional processing plants to support producers and consumers.
• These steps aim to keep the sector competitive, but they do not solve the core issue: the lack of a stable, lawful way for Haitian workers to stay and work long-term.

Without federal action, local policies cannot prevent expiring work permits from disrupting the workforce.

The legal squeeze for families

Local Haitian community leaders and legal advocates describe a bottleneck:

• Many parolees are filing asylum claims, but those cases can take years to resolve.
• Work permits tied to asylum or other paths can face long delays, creating gaps between the end of parole and any new authorization.

Families worry about the cost of lawyers, translation, and lost wages if they must attend hearings.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the end of humanitarian parole exposed a large group of workers to sudden status loss while the system offers few quick alternatives. Legal experts emphasize that asylum is complex and not a fast solution for most people who urgently need to keep working.

What employers say

Companies stress that immigrant labor keeps lines moving.

• Managers across Delmarva point to years when hiring was already difficult before parole ended.
• While no broad shortage has emerged yet, uncertainty itself can prompt experienced staff to leave the area.

Training new hires takes time and money, and safety can suffer when teams change frequently.

What workers and employers can do now

While there is no simple fix, several practical steps can reduce harm:

• Workers should:
  • Keep copies of all IDs, work cards, and past pay stubs.
  • Carry only what you need to the plant and store originals safely at home.
  • Ask trusted local legal aid groups about possible options and be cautious of scams or paid “helpers.”
• Employers can:
  • Offer clear, multilingual updates about HR rules and any company policies regarding grace periods for expired cards (if allowed by law).
  • Strengthen training and safety programs to protect workers and reduce injury risk.
• Community groups can:
  • Set up ride shares to legal clinics, health visits, and school events to keep families connected and informed.
  • Coordinate referrals to trusted legal and social services.
• Plant safety teams should:
  • Double down on training and supervision, especially if many new hires join quickly.

Human stakes behind the numbers

Haitian migration to Maryland increased after the 2010 earthquake and later crises. Many migrants found steady pay in poultry plants despite difficult shifts.

• Parents paid debts, sent remittances, and enrolled children in local schools.
• With parole gone, families face a cliff: job loss, income loss, and possible removal.
• Towns risk losing church members, coaches, and shoppers who sustain small businesses.

What to watch next

• Federal action: As of August 2025, there’s no new relief for Haitian workers. Any new parole, temporary protection, or processing change would significantly shape outcomes.
• Industry response: If work authorization lapses, producers may adjust hours, slow lines, or raise bonuses to recruit—affecting prices and supply.
• State-level moves: Maryland can improve plant oversight and farm support, but immigrant status remains a federal matter.
• Advocacy efforts: Legal clinics, churches, and civic groups will continue pressing for stable status and safer workplaces.

Where to find help

• Maryland Department of Agriculture (for HPAI and farm guidance)
• National Chicken Council (industry updates)
• Haitian Development Center of Delmarva (community support and referrals)
• Local legal aid organizations (free or low-cost consultations)

Actionable takeaway: If you’re a worker or employer in Maryland affected by the end of humanitarian parole, start planning early, document everything, and connect with trusted legal and community resources. Early steps can protect jobs, health, and families while policy decisions remain uncertain.