The U.S. House of Representatives advanced landmark legislation Wednesday that would shield approximately 350,000 Haitian immigrants from deportation, marking a rare moment of bipartisan unity on a contentious immigration issue that has divided lawmakers and the Trump administration.
In a procedural vote, the House voted 219-209 to advance the measure through a discharge petition—a parliamentary manoeuvre that bypasses leadership opposition—clearing the way for a final vote scheduled for Thursday. The legislation would extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to eligible Haitian immigrants for three years, allowing them to continue living and working legally in the United States.
"This is a critical step forward in our fight for immigrant justice and delivering our Haitian neighbors the protections they deserve," said Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Massachusetts, who co-chairs the House Haiti Caucus and championed the discharge petition. "It's a testament to the strength of our broad, diverse, and bipartisan coalition."
Economic and Healthcare Concerns Drive Support
The legislation, originally introduced by Reps. Laura Gillen, D-New York, and Mike Lawler, R-New York, has drawn support from Republicans citing workforce shortages and economic concerns. Six Republican representatives joined 212 Democrats and one independent to advance the bill, including Reps. María Elvira Salazar and Carlos A. Gimenez of Florida, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, and Don Bacon of Nebraska.
"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," Bacon said. "I don't see the goodness of deporting people who are here legally, working, and contributing to our country."
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis of New York highlighted the healthcare sector's dependence on Haitian workers, noting that nursing homes in her district have warned they will lose skilled staff if TPS protections are not renewed.
Rep. Gillen pointed out a perceived inconsistency in administration policy. "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," she stated on the House floor Wednesday.
Legal Battle Continues at Supreme Court
The legislative action comes as the Trump administration's attempt to terminate TPS for Haitian immigrants faces legal challenges. A federal judge halted the administration's effort to revoke the status for the 350,000 Haitian nationals last summer, citing humanitarian concerns. The administration appealed that decision, and the case is expected to reach the U.S. Supreme Court this month.
Temporary Protected Status is a federal immigration designation that allows foreign nationals from countries experiencing war, environmental disasters, or other unsafe conditions to remain and work in the United States for a specified period.
The measure has drawn attention amid heightened national debate over immigration. The timing of the vote follows a controversial social media post by former President Trump featuring a graphic video of alleged violence, which the Department of Homeland Security has attributed to an undocumented Haitian immigrant.
"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, R-New York
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Wednesday's procedural vote. The final House vote on the legislation is scheduled for Thursday.
This article is based on reporting from NBC News.