Senator Calls for Extension of TPS for Haitian Immigrants

As the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian immigrants is set to expire on February 3, 2026, former Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), who is running for the U.S. Senate in 2026, is urging the administration to extend this designation. He highlights the economic struggles in Ohio and emphasizes that there is no safe place for Haitians to return.

In a post on X, Brown remarked:

“As I travel around the state, I hear the same concerns that Governor DeWine has heard from people in Ohio. They worry about their Haitian neighbors and the economic consequences that the end of TPS for Haitian Americans could have on their communities.”

“This is why I am calling on the administration to extend TPS for Ohio’s Haitian community. They have no safe return option in Haiti, and local economies across Ohio depend on their contributions.”

“I am also urging Gov. Mike DeWine and Senators Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno to prioritize Ohio’s communities and support the expansion of TPS for the Haitian population.”

Brown took questions from reporters at a roundtable event focused on affordability, where he stated that ICE needs significant reform and called for the removal of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. He argued that the presence of ICE makes communities less secure.

In reaction to Brown’s statements, Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) pushed back, saying:

“Do you still not get it, @SherrodBrown? Voters are over liberal Democrats like you for exploiting American workers by promoting cheap migrant labor. That’s why you lost!”

“This shouldn’t be complicated. Temporary Protected Status was always meant to be temporary. It’s time for people to return home.”

Moreno further criticized the notion that Haitians should not have waited until now to “self-deport,” suggesting they were aware of the TPS expiration date and should have acted before it. He also expressed concerns about taxpayer costs associated with illegal immigration, estimating that each undocumented immigrant costs taxpayers around $110,000 annually, which he believes is unsustainable. He referred to the current immigration policy as “absolute madness,” insisting that only economically contributing immigrants should be accepted.

Meanwhile, Governor Mike DeWine (Republican, Ohio) expressed worries that ending TPS might adversely affect Springfield’s economic landscape. He noted, “Some economic gains in Springfield could be lost.” DeWine highlighted feedback from employers who depend on Haitian workers, suggesting that job vacancies would arise if TPS ends.

As Brown prepares for the upcoming Senate race in 2026, Republican Senator Jon Husted, recently appointed to fill the Vice President’s seat, faces scrutiny after being labeled a “two-time loser” by the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

In a lengthy analysis of Brown’s previous campaign’s shortcomings, critiques avoided delving into immigration’s impact on wages and the labor market. Rather, the blame was shifted to trade policies from the 1990s for creating challenges in working-class communities. Observers suggest that this reluctance to address immigration reflects a challenging narrative for the Democratic Party, driven by the demand for imported workers and consumers.