ReCAP Lab

When the U.S. government announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for thousands of Haitian immigrants, it sent a wave of fear through families who have lived, worked, and raised children in the United States for years. For many, TPS was never a path to citizenship—it was a temporary shield from deportation. Now, that shield is cracking. Haitian families are facing a future where legal protections may vanish overnight, despite decades of contribution to their communities. This uncertainty is not unique. It’s part of a broader experience researchers call liminal legality—a state of living in-between legal categories, where families are neither fully protected nor entirely at risk, but constantly navigating instability.

In 2020 Terrazas and colleagues lexplored how liminal statuses like DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), TPS, and Lawful Permanent Residency (green cards) shape everyday life for families. These statuses may allow people to work, study, or avoid deportation—but they don’t promise stability. Renewals are required regularly, rules change often, and the fear of losing status is always present.

In families where members have different legal statuses—what researchers call “mixed-status families”—this uncertainty takes a heavy toll. Parents may be undocumented while their children are citizens. Some siblings may have work permits, others don’t. This creates financial stress, anxiety, and fear of separation—especially in today’s volatile immigration climate.

The authors emphasize the need for therapists and health providers to understand this complexity. They offer guidance for working with immigrant families, including:

• Building trust and creating safe spaces for families to share.
• Understanding how fear and legal stress affect mental health.
• Helping parents talk to children about their immigration status.
• Recognizing the strengths of family and community values like familismo.
• Being aware of the role that religion and faith play in resilience.
• Connecting families with trusted community resources, like promotores (community health workers).

The key takeaway? Therapists and community providers must not only support families emotionally—they must also understand the social and legal systems shaping those emotions. Only by recognizing the “in-between” legal lives many families live can we offer care that is respectful, effective, and just.

Liminal Legality Among Mixed-Status Latinx Families: Considerations for Critically Engaged Clinical Practice