House Passes Bill to Extend Protected Status for Haitians

Legislation led by Rep. Ayanna Pressley would allow 19,000 Haitians in Massachusetts to avoid deportation.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 11:21pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A moody, cinematic painting depicting a lone Haitian immigrant worker in a dimly lit urban setting, the warm light casting deep shadows across the scene and conveying a sense of uncertainty and resilience.The House vote to extend protected status for Haitian immigrants offers a glimmer of hope, but the fight is far from over.Boston Today

In a bipartisan vote, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to extend temporary protected status for Haitians until 2029. The legislation, led by Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, would allow at least 19,000 Haitians in Massachusetts to remain in the U.S. and avoid deportation. The measure now heads to the Senate, where it faces an uncertain future.

Why it matters

The House vote is a rebuke of the Trump administration's efforts to terminate temporary protected status for Haitians, which would have forced thousands to return to a country the State Department says is destabilized by civil unrest. Extending TPS is seen as crucial for preserving the Haitian immigrant workforce, especially in critical industries like healthcare and food services.

The details

The House passed the bill through a discharge petition, a procedural tool that allowed it to bypass Republican leadership and bring the measure to the floor for a vote. Ten Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the legislation, which was co-sponsored by Democratic Rep. Laura Gillen of New York and Republican Mike Lawler, also of New York.

  • The House passed the bill on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
  • The measure now heads to the Senate, with no set timeline for consideration.
  • If passed by the Senate, the bill would then go to President Trump, who would likely veto it, requiring a two-thirds majority in both chambers to become law.

The players

Ayanna Pressley

Congresswoman representing one of the largest Haitian diaspora communities in the country, and co-chair of the House Haiti Caucus.

Laura Gillen

Democratic Congresswoman from New York, who introduced the underlying bill that the House passed.

Mike Lawler

Republican Congressman from New York, who co-sponsored the bill with Rep. Gillen.

Donald Trump

The President who previously moved to terminate temporary protected status for Haitians.

Geralde Gabeau

Founder and executive director of the Immigrant Family Services Institute, a nonprofit that works with Haitian immigrants.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Along with the Republicans and the independents that we were ultimately able to enlist in this cause in defense of our Haitian neighbors, it was a tremendous feat.”

— Ayanna Pressley, Congresswoman

“This is such a huge relief, and it's a huge step.”

— Geralde Gabeau, Founder and Executive Director, Immigrant Family Services Institute

“It looks to be the powerful affirmation that the voices of the people combining with the officials still matter in our democracy.”

— Pastor 'Keke' Dieufort Fleurissaint, Founder, True Alliance Center

What’s next

The bill must now pass the Senate, where it faces an uncertain future. If it clears the Senate, it would then go to President Trump, who would likely veto the legislation, requiring a two-thirds majority in both chambers to become law.

The takeaway

This vote represents a significant bipartisan rebuke of the Trump administration's efforts to end temporary protected status for Haitians, which could have forced thousands to return to a country the State Department deems unsafe due to civil unrest. Extending TPS is crucial for preserving the Haitian immigrant workforce in key industries like healthcare and food services.