House Votes to Extend Temporary Protected Status for Haitians
In a recent decision, ten House Republicans collaborated with Democrats to maintain Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for around 350,000 Haitians currently living in the United States. This move stands in contrast to efforts by the Trump administration aimed at ending what many see as a form of quasi-amnesty.
The bill, spearheaded by Representatives Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) and Laura Gillen (D-NY), successfully passed after it was advanced via a discharge petition campaign that attracted six Republican supporters.
Essentially, this legislation would allow Haitians to remain in the U.S. under TPS, even as President Trump engages in legal battles in the Supreme Court to end these protections.
Here’s a list of the ten Republican members who have opted to defy the Trump administration by advocating for the bill:
- Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA)
- Mike Lawler (R-NY)
- Don Bacon (R-NE)
- Maria Salazar (R-FL)
- Carlos Jimenez (R-FL)
- Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY)
- Rich McCormick (R-GA)
- Mike Turner (R-OH)
- Mike Carey (R-OH)
- Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL)
Notably, Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) is among the supporters. Representing parts of Springfield, Turner has seen a significant influx of Haitian immigrants in the area, which has led to increased strain on local services and rising rents for residents.
Meanwhile, Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) expressed strong opposition to the bill, labeling it disrespectful to voters. He remarked, “There’s a reason this is called Temporary Protected Status (TPS).” Moreno stated that the Senate would not consider expanding TPS, arguing that doing so would acknowledge the Biden administration’s approach to border control as a form of amnesty.
Moreno emphasized that “The House bill is an insult to the millions of people waiting patiently in line and tacitly condones Biden’s border invasion, for which TPS has become a de facto amnesty.”
Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) also voiced his criticism on the House floor. He argued that TPS has effectively turned into a permanent amnesty for those not properly vetted, labeling the support for maintaining TPS as “backdoor amnesty” for the 350,000 Haitians.
The surge of Haitian nationals on TPS mainly occurred during the Biden administration, with estimates suggesting that by the end of Biden’s term, over a million individuals sheltered under TPS would be living in the U.S.
President Trump, since June, has been pushing for the termination of TPS for Haitian immigrants, a move met with swift legal challenges from leftist organizations. The Supreme Court is set to make a ruling on this case in the near future.
