(The Center Square) – The U.S. House of Representatives passed a measure, 224-204, to extend temporary protected status to Haitian nationals living in the United States.
Ten House Republicans joined House Democrats and one Independent in advancing the protected status for Haitian migrants. Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, supported the extension measure as the administration has sought to terminate the protected status.
“The situation in Haiti is deteriorating, not improving, and the families here in our communities like Spring Valley and beyond deserve certainty, not chaos,” Lawler said.
The measure would require the Trump administration to extend for three years temporary protected status to Haiti. The status is granted to individuals who flee war or environmental disasters in their home countries.
In June 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order attempting to strip temporary protected status from several nations, including Haiti. Haitian nationals challenged the order, citing violations of the Constitution. The U.S. Supreme Court will hear challenges to Trump’s order on April 29.
Temporary protected status was first granted to Haiti in 2010, after an earthquake hit the country. Around 350,000 Haitian nationals are currently residing in the United States under temporary protected status, according to court documents.
“This is a common-sense policy that will save lives,” Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., said on the House floor. “Congress can help. Congress can do the right thing.”
In 2024, the Biden administration extended temporary protected status for Haiti, based on general security and humanitarian concerns in the country.
Republicans who voted against the measure said extending temporary protected status for Haitians is dangerous and will lead to more criminal activity. Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla., accused immigrants from Haiti of killing his constituents.
“This is an effort to undermine our country with people who have killed three people in my state,” Fine said on the House floor. “I did not come here to protect Haitians.”
Democrats in support of the petition said Haiti is suffering under intense political and economic pressure. Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Shultz, D-Fla., said Haitian nationals allowed in the country are thoroughly screened for security risks and should be allowed to remain.
She said Haitian migrants pay into social welfare programs including Medicaid and social security without receiving benefits in return.
“My Haitian neighbors in Florida are an indispensable part of our community, economy, and culture,” Wasserman-Shultz said. “Haitian-Americans deserve better. We all deserve better.”
Tom Tiffany, R-Wis., said the temporary protected status program has resulted in amnesty for thousands of foreign nationals in the United States, something it was never intended to do.
“TPS was never intended to be the ‘Hotel California’ that allows illegal aliens to enter any time, but they may never leave,” Tiffany said.
Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., said the conditions in Haiti are some of the “worst humanitarian crises in the world.” He pointed to the U.S. State Department’s travel advisory for Haiti that warns against visiting the country due to crime, civil unrest and terrorist activity.
In 2023, the State Department ordered non-emergency U.S. government employees to leave Haiti due to safety risks. Haiti has been under a national state of emergency since March 2024. U.S. commercial flights do not currently operate to or from Port-au-Prince, according to the State Department.
“We must do everything in our power to prevent further harm during this humanitarian crisis,” Meeks said.
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to determine whether Trump’s order to end temporary protected status for Haitian and Syrian immigrants can continue. Approximately 6,100 Syrians hold temporary protected status.
« Terminating Haitian’s TPS designation ‘reflects a necessary and strategic vote of confidence in the new chapter Haiti is turning, » lawyers for the Trump adminstration said.
The extension of TPS to Haiti will go to the Senate, where passage is uncertain.