Trump Arrives In Mar-a-Lago Amid Protests, Road Closures

PALM BEACH, FL — President Trump and the first family touched down at Palm Beach International on Air Force One shortly before 6 p.m. on Tuesday and then traveled by motorcade to nearby Mar-a-Lago. About 300 protesters marched to the so-called Winter White House prior to the president's arrival to protest the planned end to Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians in 2019. Led by hospitality workers union Local 355, organizers said that about 1,000 of the union's 30,000 members in Florida will be affected by the change in immigration status.

"Here in South Florida we have the largest concentration of Haitian immigrants outside of Haiti. Obviously, there are a lot of people here who will be impacted," said Wendi Walsh, who heads Unite Here Local 355. She told Patch that her organization sent three busloads of demonstrators from Miami and two more from Orlando to protest the administration's decision, which could affect as many as 60,000 Haitian immigrants.

A number of local area residents also turned out along the motorcade route to catch a glimpse of America's 45th president.

Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke announced on Monday that the TPS designation for Haiti would come to an end on July 22, 2019. The secretary has the authority to grant TPS status to eligible nationals who are already in the United States when conditions in their home country prevent them from returning safely or when the country is unable to handle their return.

Walsh said that the peaceful protest arrived at Mar-a-Lago around noon Tuesday before making its way to nearby West Palm Beach for speeches by TPS recipients, faith leaders and union officials.

"We were not invited in," Walsh joked of Mar-a-Lago.

"This is one of many demonstrations that have happened throughout the year that I do think impacted the administration’s decision to not end TPS in January — as they announced earlier this year — and extend it for another 18 months," she explained. "However it is still ending."

Palm Beach police announced a number of checkpoints and road closures ahead of the president's arrival.

"All forms of travel will be prohibited on South Ocean Boulevard from the intersection of South County Road to Southern Boulevard," Palm Beach police said in an advisory to residents.

Checkpoints are in place at Southern Boulevard at the Bath and Tennis Circle and at South Ocean Boulevard and South County Road.

Watch protesters ahead of President Trump's arrival:

Photo and video courtesy Unite Here Local 355.