Connecticut Allocates $5 Million to Aid Residents Affected by Federal TPS Changes

Governor Ned Lamont today announced a $5 million allocation from Connecticut’s recently created Federal Cuts Response Fund, aimed at supporting residents affected by Trump administration changes to Temporary Protected Status (TPS), specifically including Haitian, Syrian, and other impacted individuals.

This funding marks the fifth request to utilize the fund, which was established by Governor Lamont and the Connecticut General Assembly in 2025 to ensure the state can respond to significant federal policy and funding changes. The Connecticut Department of Social Services will administer the $5 million, helping eligible individuals access critical services and maintain stability as they navigate federal immigration policy shifts.

Governor Lamont criticized the federal changes, stating, "It is shameful that the Trump administration has decided to strip these individuals of their legal status and ability to work, knowing full well their countries of origin are still in the grips of violence and economic collapse." He added that the funding is one way the state can provide stability, emphasizing that these communities "need and deserve a solution at the federal level."

State legislative leaders voiced strong support for the governor's decision. State Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney said, "This funding will help our neighbors keep a roof over their heads, food on the table, and access to the care they need." State Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff added that the money goes directly to immigrants who were working, paying taxes, and building lives in Connecticut.

State Senator Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox highlighted that immigrant neighbors are "woven into the fabric of who we are as a community," while State Representative Derell Wilson noted the significant contributions of these residents to Connecticut’s economy. Following this proposal, approximately $262.5 million will remain available in the Federal Cuts Response Fund for future needs, underscoring the state's ongoing preparedness to respond to federal policy shifts.