Amazon warehouse workers fired after Trump immigration crackdown: 'We have done everything legally'

Daphnee Poteau, a Haitian immigrant who arrived in the United States in 2023, began her journey with Amazon last year at an Indianapolis returns center. It was there that she met her husband, Kristopher Vincent, who has been employed at the same location since 2013. However, Poteau's employment took a drastic turn last month when the Department of Homeland Security notified her that the humanitarian immigration program, which had granted her legal status, was being terminated. This change came after the Trump administration discontinued a program aimed at providing temporary legal status to Haitians, Cubans, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans. As a result, Poteau's last day at Amazon was June 28. She is now left navigating an uncertain future as she applies for a spousal visa, with concerns mounting over their ability to afford rent and immigration fees. "We're taking it one day at a time, but it does leave me stressed that they're going to come and try to get her, even though she does have an asylum case pending in court," Vincent expressed. The couple is not alone; several other workers at the Amazon warehouse, known as IND8, have also lost their jobs following the revocation of their legal protections. Many employees at this location are Haitian, with some meetings requiring translation into Creole. Documents reviewed by CNBC indicated that Amazon had requested updated work permits from staff members who entered the U.S. under the Biden administration's program. Those who failed to secure new authorizations were let go. Amazon has not disclosed the exact number of employees affected by these changes, but spokesperson Richard Rocha stated that the company had anticipated potential staffing impacts due to the shifts in immigration policy and had made necessary adjustments. Rocha confirmed that the company is actively supporting those impacted by the policy changes, providing resources for legal assistance and counseling. The broader implications of the Trump administration's immigration policies have ripple effects beyond Amazon, affecting other major companies like Walmart and Disney, which have also had to terminate employees to comply with federal regulations. As of now, Amazon employs over 1.56 million people globally, with a significant number in warehouse operations. The terminations coincided with Amazon's preparations for its annual Prime Day event, a crucial period for warehouse and delivery staff. The company has historically relied on immigrant workers to meet staffing needs, having set a goal to hire a substantial number of refugees and displaced individuals by 2024. However, the new immigration policies create significant hurdles for these workers, many of whom are now at risk of deportation if they cannot secure alternative legal status. Christopher Lubin, another Amazon employee from Haiti, echoed the sentiments of many affected workers, stating, "We have done everything legally in this country. We haven't committed fraud. We go to school, we work, and we pay taxes." The Department of Homeland Security justified the termination of protections for Haitian nationals by claiming that conditions in Haiti had improved, despite evidence suggesting ongoing violence and instability in the country. The recent decisions have left many individuals in precarious situations, fearing for their safety and futures. Katia Jasmin, executive director of Creole Resources, reported job losses among Haitian workers at Amazon warehouses in Spokane, Washington, as well. In light of the conditions in Haiti, which continues to struggle with violence and humanitarian crises, those affected express feelings of injustice regarding the forced returns. Serge, a worker who arrived in the U.S. seeking safety, highlighted the dire circumstances in his homeland, calling it "unjust" to mandate returns when the situation remains perilous. The repercussions of these shifts in immigration policy are becoming increasingly concerning, not just for the workers but also for the economy as a whole.