House Votes to Shield Haitian Immigrants from Deportation

The bill to reinstate temporary protections for Haitian immigrants passed despite opposition from the White House and GOP leadership.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 6:22pm

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A vibrant, fragmented painting depicting the silhouettes of a Haitian immigrant family in motion, with overlapping geometric shapes and waves of bold, saturated colors representing the dynamic and divisive nature of the immigration debate.The House vote to shield Haitian immigrants from deportation reflects the ongoing political tensions over immigration policy.NYC Today

The U.S. House of Representatives voted 224-204 to pass legislation that would reinstate temporary protected status (TPS) for Haitian immigrants living in the U.S. The bill, which now heads to the Senate, would require the Homeland Security secretary to designate Haiti for TPS for three years. The Trump administration had moved to terminate TPS for Haitians, but a federal court blocked the move. The White House has vowed that President Trump would veto the bill if it reaches his desk.

Why it matters

The vote highlights the GOP's narrow majority in the House, allowing a small bloc of moderate Republicans to work with Democrats to advance legislation opposed by Republican leadership. The issue of TPS for Haitian immigrants has become a political flashpoint, with the Trump administration's attempts to remove TPS status for Haitians and others now before the Supreme Court.

The details

The successful House vote occurred after a handful of Republicans defied their own GOP leadership and teamed up with Democrats on a discharge petition to force the vote on the House floor. Ten Republicans voted yes on the bill, which would require the Homeland Security secretary to designate Haiti for TPS for three years. The Trump administration has moved to terminate TPS for Haitians, but a federal court stepped in to block Trump's move.

  • The House passed the bill on April 16, 2026.
  • The Trump administration's attempts to remove TPS status for Haitians and others are now before the Supreme Court.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president who moved to terminate TPS for Haitian immigrants, but was blocked by a federal court. The White House has vowed that Trump would veto the House bill if it reaches his desk.

Ayanna Pressley

The Democratic Congresswoman from Massachusetts who co-chairs the House Haiti Caucus and led the discharge petition push to force the House vote.

Randy Fine

The Republican Congressman from Florida who opposed the bill, citing examples of violent crimes committed by Haitian immigrants in his home state.

Laura Gillen

The Democratic Congresswoman from New York who introduced the bill last year along with Republican Mike Lawler.

Mike Lawler

The Republican Congressman from New York who introduced the bill last year along with Democrat Laura Gillen.

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What they’re saying

“One in four of our long-term health care workers are Haitian, and one in five of our health care workers are Haitian. The caregiving crisis impacts families throughout America. Our seniors need care to age with dignity and community.”

— Ayanna Pressley, Democratic Congresswoman from Massachusetts

“This whole thing is a scam. It was created for people who were protected because there was an earthquake 16 years ago, and now 350,000 people have been able to stay in our country for 16 years. I did not come here to protect Haitians. I came to protect for the good of our country, and the only discharge petition I will support is the one that discharges all of these people back to Haiti.”

— Randy Fine, Republican Congressman from Florida

What’s next

The bill now heads to the Senate, but it's unclear if it can pass the upper chamber. The Trump administration's attempts to remove TPS status for Haitians and others are expected to be heard by the Supreme Court this month.

The takeaway

This vote highlights the growing political divide over immigration policy, with a small group of moderate Republicans working with Democrats to defy their party's leadership on issues like temporary protected status for immigrants. The fate of the bill in the Senate and the Supreme Court's ruling on TPS will be closely watched as the debate over the future of Haitian immigrants in the U.S. continues.