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US passes bill to extend TPS for Haitians
April 19, 2026
Posted 2 hours ago by
BOSTON, United States (CMC)—Caribbean and immigrant advocacy groups are welcoming the bipartisan passage of legislation in the United States House of Representatives to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians, describing it as a major step toward protecting hundreds of thousands from deportation.The measure, led by Democratic Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, passed the House by a vote of 224 to 204 and would safeguard more than 300,000 Haitian nationals currently living in the United States under TPS.Pressley, who represents Massachusetts’ 7th Congressional District and serves as co-chair of the House Haiti Caucus, described the vote as a significant victory following months of sustained advocacy.“This win marks an essential step forward in the fight to defend our Haitian neighbours from deportation,” she said, noting that the legislation was achieved with support from both Democrats and Republicans.She said the effort was driven by a broad coalition of stakeholders, including impacted families, labour unions, civil rights organisations and business groups.“We organised, held hearings, and built a movement powered by impacted families and community advocates,” Pressley added.
“Today, we are closer than ever to protecting our Haitian community and their many contributions.”The congresswoman also pointed to the significance of the legislative process, noting that her discharge petition—used to force the vote—successfully met the 218-signature threshold, making it one of the few such measures to advance in recent decades.Labour leaders also welcomed the vote. Manny Pastreich, president of 32BJ SEIU, which represents thousands of Haitian TPS holders, said the measure was critical in defending immigrant workers.“Protecting their basic rights helps protect us all,” he said, noting that many Haitian immigrants continue to serve in essential roles across sectors such as building services and transportation.Advocacy groups, including the Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA), described the passage as the result of sustained, grassroots mobilisation.Executive Director Guerline Jozef said the vote reflects the power of collective action but warned that more work lies ahead.“This is what people-powered advocacy looks like,” she said. “While this is not the finish line, it is a powerful step forward.”Jozef urged continued bipartisan cooperation as the legislation moved to the Senate, stressing that the stakes remain high.“Without TPS protections, hundreds of thousands of Haitian families face the risk of deportation to a country experiencing profound instability, violence and humanitarian crisis,” she said.Caribbean-American Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, also co-chair of the Haiti Caucus, said the vote sends a strong message of support for Haitian communities.“This brings us closer than ever to extending TPS for Haitian nationals,” she said, adding that the legislation would help “save lives and keep families together.”Temporary Protected Status allows nationals from designated countries experiencing crises such as conflict or natural disasters to live and work legally in the United States.Advocates say extending the programme is essential not only for humanitarian reasons but also because Haitian TPS holders contribute significantly to the US economy and society.The bill now heads to the Senate, where supporters are calling for swift passage to ensure continued protection for Haitians.
Jamaica Observer
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