Six Republicans Join Democrats to Protect Haitian Immigrants

Bipartisan coalition advances legislation to restore Temporary Protected Status for Haitian immigrants in the U.S.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 4:08am

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A dimly lit urban setting with a solitary Haitian immigrant worker standing in a pool of warm, diagonal sunlight, conveying the uncertainty and human stakes of the TPS debate.As the Supreme Court weighs the fate of Temporary Protected Status for Haitian immigrants, this quiet scene reflects the human impact of the ongoing political debate.NYC Today

In a bipartisan move, six House Republicans joined Democrats in advancing legislation that would restore Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian immigrants living in the United States. The bill, introduced by Rep. Ayanna Pressley, cleared a crucial procedural hurdle and is set for a final vote on Thursday. If enacted, the legislation would grant TPS to eligible Haitian immigrants for three years.

Why it matters

The vote represents a blow to a central pillar of the Trump administration's immigration agenda, as the TPS program allows foreign nationals from nations experiencing war, natural disasters, or other dangerous conditions to live and work in the U.S. for a designated period. The Biden administration had appealed a federal judge's decision to indefinitely postpone the termination of TPS for Haitian immigrants, and the Supreme Court is expected to take up the case this month.

The details

The discharge petition passed 219-209, with Republican Reps. María Elvira Salazar and Carlos A. Gimenez of Florida, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Don Bacon of Nebraska, Mike Lawler, and Nicole Malliotakis of New York joining 212 Democrats and one independent in supporting the measure. Supporters argue that removing TPS status for Haitian immigrants would cost 350,000 workers their ability to work at a time of workforce shortages, and that many of these immigrants are filling critical healthcare and caregiving roles.

  • The discharge petition was brought forward on Wednesday, April 17, 2026.
  • The final vote on the legislation is scheduled for Thursday, April 18, 2026.

The players

Rep. Ayanna Pressley

A Democratic representative from Massachusetts who serves as co-chair of the House Haiti Caucus and brought the TPS legislation forward through a discharge petition.

Rep. Laura Gillen

A Democratic representative from New York who originally introduced the TPS bill last year in the Republican-controlled chamber.

Rep. Mike Lawler

A Republican representative from New York who originally introduced the TPS bill last year in the Republican-controlled chamber.

Rolbert Joachin

An undocumented Haitian immigrant who was arrested and accused of attacking a woman with a hammer at a Florida gas station, an incident that former President Trump cited in criticizing the Biden administration's immigration policies.

Donald Trump

The former president who attempted to end TPS for approximately 350,000 Haitian immigrants last summer, a move that was blocked by a federal judge.

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What they’re saying

“This is a critical step forward in our fight for immigrant justice and delivering our Haitian neighbors the protections they deserve—and it's a testament to the strength of our broad, diverse, and bipartisan coalition.”

— Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Co-chair of the House Haiti Caucus

“The State Department claims it is too dangerous for American citizens to go to Haiti because of kidnapping, gang violence and widespread chaos, but yet, the administration has said it's safe for Haitians to return there.”

— Rep. Laura Gillen, Democratic representative from New York

“Removing TPS status for Haitians living in the United States would cost 350,000 workers their ability to work at a time when we're already facing serious workforce shortages. I don't see the goodness of deporting people who are here legally, working, and contributing to our country.”

— Rep. Don Bacon, Republican representative from Nebraska

“These are Haitian immigrants who are working, paying taxes and contributing to our economy and fulfilling a healthcare need. To strip them of their status and deport them to a country in peril would be uncompassionate and misguided.”

— Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, Republican representative from New York

What’s next

The Supreme Court is expected to take up the case regarding the termination of TPS for Haitian immigrants this month.

The takeaway

This bipartisan vote to restore Temporary Protected Status for Haitian immigrants highlights the growing divide within the Republican party on immigration issues, as well as the importance of maintaining legal protections for vulnerable populations during times of crisis in their home countries.