By Christina Arlotta
One of two stories.
“Stories of Belonging/ Historias de Partenencia,” a public art and storytelling exhibit organized by Long Island Jobs with Justice and the Worker Institute at Cornell, stopped off recently in Brentwood. The exhibit honored the contributions of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders and aimed to build support amid the increasing threats to the program under the Trump administration.
In addition to outdoor installations, the “Stories of Belonging” reception featured speeches from community leaders, informational packets on how to respond during ICE encounters, a photo display by freelance photographer Julie Flores and local cuisine. There were several performances as well, including a traditional Indigenous song performed by Shane Weeks, an interactive drumming experience led by Sky and a powerful closing dance by Carlos.
The exhibit was designed to celebrate the lives and contributions of TPS workers. By displaying their portraits and quotes in a public space, it allowed passersby to pause, reflect and consider who these individuals are and the significance of their stories.
Dr. Patricia Campos-Medina, executive director of the Worker Institute and primary researcher of the “Stories of Belonging” project, said the focus of the exhibit was not only to raise awareness, but also to spark action. “Rather than hiding, we want to bring the community out to say, ‘We will help you fight for your status’ and ‘we will help you protect your family,’” Campos-Medina said. “This is why we call it a celebration. It’s a celebration of solidarity with TPS workers, so even though they feel afraid, they know that the community is behind them.”
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a humanitarian program that allows people from countries facing armed conflict, environmental disaster or other crises to live and work legally in the U.S. for limited periods. The program began in 1990, under President George H.W. Bush. Recipients are protected from deportation, and their status is typically renewed every six to 18 months. The Trump administration is seeking to scale back TPS, especially for individuals from Haiti, Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua.
TPS is now tied up in the courts, with its fate hanging in the balance.
One of the featured TPS holders in the “Stories of Belonging” exhibit, Cecilia Martinez, attended the exhibit’s reception, where a brief video shared her personal story. In 2017, when efforts to organize TPS recipients gained momentum, Martinez was among the first to volunteer. Since then, five regionalalliances have been established on Long Island, and the movement has grown to include 55 organizations across the country. At the event, organizers recognized Martinez’s commitment and leadership in supporting TPS holders nationwide.
“Thanks to all these fighters, now I have my legal status of the United States, and that is not going to stop me from continuing to help all the TPS holders. Not just the TPS holders, but also all the families that cannot be separated,” Martinez said. “Keep fighting. United, we can do this.”
Nassau County Legislator Carrie Solages, a Democrat, voiced concern over the impact of deportation on children, citing the case of Nuvia Martinez Ventura, an undocumented Brentwood mother of five detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) despite having no criminal record. Ventura fled to the United States after witnessing gangs in El Salvador murder the father of her children. Now, her children, ages 3 to 11, are left to face serious challenges alone, including managing conditions like juvenile diabetes. Solages stressed that deportation not only separates individuals, it tears families apart, often leaving vulnerable children, including those with serious medical needs, without support.
“I understand that those convicted of criminal acts and those who have violated their terms of agreement should face justice, but we’re not talking about that here,” Solages said. “They’re not going after criminals; they’re going after the grandmother and grandfather who’s been here for 30 years and didn’t get a chance to do that N-400 and complete our application to become a citizen. We saw a mother of five children — one of those children had Type 1 diabetes — and now these children have no one to take care of themselves. This is very concerning.”
Barbara Reymond of the Haitian American Family of Long Island (HAFALI Inc.) shared the stories of two Haitian immigrant women, Barbara and Jean, to highlight the resilience and strength within Long Island’s immigrant communities. Reymond, a mother of two who arrived in 2022, entered the workforce after completing English as a Second Language and home health training with HAFALI’s support. Gene, a TPS holder and mother of three, has overcome personal and political challenges to earn certifications, maintain stable housing and work two jobs. Reymond said their stories challenge harmful stereotypes and call for greater understanding and solidarity.
“This is what immigrant communities endure,” Reymond said. “They come to this country to work jobs that are practically deadly at times. I can’t tell you how many families I know that go from job to job where they leave at four in the morning and come back at seven in the evening. They live in a house and oftentimes get judged for it with 20, 30 different people, with the hope to save up to one day start their own business. This is what immigration really looks like.”
Union leaders from 32BJ SEIU and 1199 SEIU spoke about the contributions of immigrant workers. Lenore Friedlaender of 32BJ highlighted the essential labor of immigrant workers, while Onika Shepherd of 1199 SEIU spoke of the devastating impact of removing TPS status from frontline caregivers. Their message was clear: Immigrant labor is not only indispensable, it is a force that deserves protection, recognition and respect.
“Removing TPS status from frontline caregivers would separate families, destroy communities and destabilize care for countless nursing home residents, home care consumers, and patients on Long Island and around the country,” Shepherd said. “We want to make sure that you understand we lock arms together, and that we will continue to do everything we can in order to stop this injustice.”
“Keep fighting. United, we can do this.”
Cecilia Martinez, TPS Advocate
Mimi Pierre-Johnson, president of the Elmont Culture Center and advocate for the Haitian community, delivered a powerful call to unity in the face of fear and injustice. Recounting from personal experience, she shared both heartbreaking stories of local disappearances as well as uplifting examples of resilience, including a TPS holder who advanced from security work to become a certified nursing assistant. Pierre-Johnson emphasized that lasting change requires a collective commitment to fight together.
“We must fight differently together, tightly,” Pierre-Johnson said. “I don’t care what country you came from, what language you speak, we are all in this together. No matter what, together.”
As threats to TPS and immigrant communities intensify, events like “Stories of Belonging” serve as a powerful reminder of the strength, dignity and humanity often missing from public conversation. The voices shared in Brentwood underscore the pressing need for policy change, while honoring the lives, contributions and resilience of TPS holders across Long Island and beyond. To learn more about Cecilia Martinez and the other individuals featured in the “Stories of Belonging” project, visit this website.
