The US government will end the temporary protected status (TPS) for 500,000 Haitians living in the country in August, the Department of Homeland Security said on Thursday. This comes despite deteriorating conditions in the Caribbean country,

In South Florida, the heart of the Haitian community in the United States, the announcement has caused fear and indignation. TPS beneficiaries and advocates have denounced the decision, saying Haiti continues to be unsafe amid extreme gang violence, rising hunger and crumbling public institutions.

The decision means Haitians would lose work permits and could be eligible to be removed from the country by August.