Bipartisan Effort to Extend Haitian TPS Gains Momentum in House

Petition secures enough signatures to force vote on protecting Haitian immigrants from deportation

Mar. 30, 2026 at 4:39pm

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A conceptual illustration featuring a fragmented, abstract painting of a hand holding immigration documents, rendered in a style of overlapping, geometric shapes and waves of warm and cool colors, conveying a sense of motion and fragmentation around the issue of immigration policy.The bipartisan push to extend legal protections for Haitian immigrants reflects a shifting political landscape on immigration policy.NYC Today

A petition led by Democratic Rep. Ayanna Pressley to force a House vote on extending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for thousands of Haitians living in the U.S. has secured the required bipartisan support, including from four Republican representatives. The legislation would require the Department of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for TPS amid ongoing gang violence and political instability in the country.

Why it matters

The Trump administration has sought to end TPS for Haitian immigrants, which has allowed around 350,000 Haitians to legally live and work in the U.S. This bipartisan effort to preserve TPS for Haitians is seen as a historic move that could provide critical protections for a vulnerable immigrant community facing deportation to a country in crisis.

The details

The petition needed 218 signatures, a simple majority of the House, to discharge HR 1689 from committee and bring it to the floor for a vote. In addition to Democratic support, the petition received backing from four Republicans: Rep. María Elvira Salazar of Miami, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Rep. Mike Lawler of New York, and Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska. Immigration advocates have praised the bipartisan support and are urging the Senate to act quickly once the House votes.

  • The petition was introduced by Rep. Ayanna Pressley in January 2026.
  • The required 218 signatures were secured late on Friday, March 30, 2026.

The players

Rep. Ayanna Pressley

A Democratic representative from Massachusetts who led the effort to force a House vote on extending Temporary Protected Status for Haitian immigrants.

Rep. María Elvira Salazar

A Republican representative from Miami who became the first member of her party to support the effort to extend Haitian TPS.

Department of Homeland Security

The federal agency that would be required to designate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status under the proposed legislation.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

This bipartisan effort to preserve Temporary Protected Status for Haitian immigrants represents a significant political development that could provide critical protections for a vulnerable community facing deportation to a country in crisis. The support from Republican representatives signals a willingness to work across the aisle on immigration issues, a positive sign for future policy discussions.