Rain poured outside as Heberson Narcisse and his wife, Angeline Joseph, awaited help at a pop-up legal clinic for immigrants. Their 3-month-old daughter, Keyou, was in Joseph's arms. They were among hundreds of families, many Haitian, hoping to gain a stronger legal foothold before President-elect Donald Trump took office. Narcisse, 29, expressed concerns about potential deportations, stating, "A lot of people are telling me that this president is going to deport us, the immigrants. That's why I want to go through all the process here."

Legal Clinic in Burlington: A Lifeline for Immigrants

At a legal clinic in Burlington run by MIRA and USCIS, Heberson Narcisse and Angeline Joseph waited with their three-month-old daughter. They entered the country legally under a two-year humanitarian parole program granted by the Biden administration, and with that period ending soon, they could apply for Temporary Protected Status here. This status shields people from certain countries experiencing hardships from deportation for a temporary period.Thousands in Massachusetts are racing to get their legal applications in before Trump's inauguration in January. More than 27,000 Massachusetts residents had Temporary Protected Status as of this spring, with many applying for the first time. The Biden administration has scaled back some temporary programs but broadened others.These programs are crucial for protecting immigrants from deportation, but their future under the new administration is uncertain. Both newly-arrived and long-term immigrants rely on them to work and live in the US.Henry Tirat helped his son get a paper bracelet during processing at the clinic. Trump has vowed to revoke Temporary Protected Status for Haitians, but experts note the difficulties. During his first administration, he attempted to take away the status for Haitians and El Salvadorans, but the move was hindered by the court.Even if the courts don't let Trump end these programs, most will expire in the next couple of years, leaving many at risk. The Haitian diaspora in Massachusetts has grown significantly after the 2010 earthquake. An estimated 4,700 Haitians in the state have this status, with thousands more likely eligible.Legal service providers and community groups are scrambling to respond to the increased legal inquiries. Heather Yountz said immigrants should apply for immigration status as soon as possible. Without extensions or renewals, Temporary Protected Status for Haitians would expire in February 2026, and for others next year.Back at the legal clinic in Burlington, staff and volunteers have helped more than 3,200 people file their applications since September. Immigrant attorneys and volunteers shuffled through, escorting families. Stephanie Rosario Rodriguez said they were offering 18 months of protection.For Fallie Duval, a mother from Haiti, getting the family's legal paperwork in order before January is a big concern. Her daughter is learning English and they had a difficult journey to the US. She is worried about their future under the Trump administration, even with Temporary Protected Status."Or will we have to just wait and see?" Duval asked.Giulia McDonnell Nieto del Rio can be reached at giulia.mcdnr@globe.com. Follow her @giuliamcdnr.