Overview:
With Haiti’s Temporary Protected Status set to expire July 27, advocacy groups and elected officials are making a final push for Congress to act after Senate Republicans blocked legislation that would have extended the program.
With less than a day before Haiti’s Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is set to expire on July 27, Haitian community organizations, faith leaders, nonprofits and elected officials are stepping up pressure on Congress in hopes of preserving legal protections for hundreds of thousands of Haitians living in the United States.
The renewed push comes after a bipartisan bill that would have extended TPS for Haitians by three years stalled in the Senate this week. Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Missouri, objected to a request to pass the legislation, preventing the measure from moving forward despite its earlier passage in the House.
Rather than ending their advocacy, organizations and lawmakers have responded with a flurry of phone banks, public appeals and calls for constituents to contact their senators.
“It is shameful that a single Senate Republican was able to block my legislation that already passed the House on a bipartisan basis to extend TPS for law-abiding Haitians,” said Congresswoman Laura Gillen (D-New York) in a statement. “Haitian TPS recipients have been thoroughly vetted, passed rigorous background checks and remain essential to our frontline workforce and healthcare sector.”
Gillen called on the Senate to still pass the legislation and pledged to continue working with colleagues to preserve legal protections for Haitian TPS holders.
In Nassau County, New York, Legislator Carrié Solages hosted a “Fight for Haiti TPS” phone bank alongside fellow elected officials and advocates. A second phone bank was scheduled later in the week as organizers encouraged residents to call senators in support of Senate Bill 4814. While in Queens, Première Église Apocalypse, a Pentecostal church in Queens Village brought together a broad coalition of faith leaders, elected officials, labor organizations, and Haitian community advocates on Friday to urge Congress to pass Senate Bill 4814.
Nationally, groups such as the Haitian Bridge Alliance and Haitian American Alliance of New York have coordinated several virtual town halls and phone banks to mobilize the community and supporters.
The reality is TPS will be terminated and the date — it will be very quick,” said Stephanie Delia, executive director of Little Haiti BK. “So even though it’s not the 27th, we know it’s not going to be months.
“So, we have to be prepared now for the termination while we continue to explore every other avenue,” Delia added.
Although the bill failed to advance in the Senate Wednesday, its supporters said they will continue urging lawmakers to support it.
“The fight isn’t over,” Gillen said.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer urged Republicans to support the bill, arguing that Haitian TPS recipients are an important part of communities and the U.S. workforce.
“These people are our friends, they’re our neighbors. They take care of the elderly and people with disabilities,” Schumer said. “They are entrepreneurs and small business owners. They work hard. They pay taxes.”
Attorney General Letitia James has also joined a coalition of attorneys general calling on Congress to extend TPS and establish greater judicial oversight of future TPS decisions.
“This administration’s attempt to claw back protections for hundreds of thousands of immigrants living and working across the United States has caused untold chaos and confusion,” said James. “All across our country, Haitian TPS holders have raised families, started businesses, and made valuable contributions to our economy. TPS was intended to help those who cannot safely return to their home country, and I urge Congress to strengthen our laws to protect TPS holders.”
