Gillen and Jeffries Host Roundtable with Nassau Haitian Leaders on TPS Bill

The Democratic representatives discussed extending Temporary Protected Status for the Haitian community.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 12:00am

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A warm, nostalgic painting depicting a group of people sitting around a table in a dimly lit room, the scene bathed in soft, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually representing a political discussion about immigration policy.Democratic representatives meet with Haitian community leaders to discuss the fight to extend temporary protected status.Elmont Today

Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04) and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) hosted a roundtable discussion with Nassau County Haitian American community leaders to discuss the ongoing effort to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian immigrants. The meeting came ahead of an upcoming House vote on Gillen's bill to extend TPS.

Why it matters

TPS provides temporary legal status and work authorization for immigrants from countries affected by armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions. The Haitian community in Nassau County has relied on TPS since the 2010 earthquake, and an extension is critical to prevent the deportation of thousands of residents.

The details

The roundtable allowed Gillen and Jeffries to hear directly from Haitian community leaders about the importance of TPS and the challenges faced by Haitian immigrants. The representatives discussed the details of Gillen's bill and strategies to build support for its passage in the House.

  • The roundtable took place on April 15, 2026.
  • The House is expected to vote on Gillen's TPS extension bill in the coming weeks.

The players

Congresswoman Laura Gillen

The Democratic representative for New York's 4th congressional district, who introduced a bill to extend Temporary Protected Status for Haitian immigrants.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries

The Democratic representative for New York's 8th congressional district, who joined Gillen in hosting the roundtable discussion.

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What they’re saying

“Extending TPS for the Haitian community is critical to prevent the deportation of thousands of our neighbors and friends who have built lives here.”

— Congresswoman Laura Gillen

“We must stand in solidarity with the Haitian community and ensure they have the protections they need to remain in the United States.”

— House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries

What’s next

The House is expected to vote on Congresswoman Gillen's TPS extension bill in the coming weeks. If passed, the bill would then move to the Senate for consideration.

The takeaway

This roundtable discussion highlights the importance of TPS for the Haitian immigrant community in Nassau County and the ongoing efforts by Democratic representatives to protect vulnerable populations from deportation.