US House passes bill protecting 350,000 Haitians from deportation

The US House of Representatives approved legislation this week to shield 350,000 Haitians from deportation for three years. The vote, which passed 224-204, saw 11 Republican members join all Democrats in support of the bill introduced by New York Democrat Lauren Gillen. Gillen stated, "Now I urge the Senate to take up this measure and to protect our Haitian friends and neighbors."

The bill aims to continue the temporary protected status (TPS) for Haitians, a designation established after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. The program has faced challenges, notably from the Trump administration, which sought to terminate TPS protections last year. However, a federal judge's ruling has temporarily blocked these terminations, with the Supreme Court set to hear arguments on the matter later this month.

Ayanna Pressley, a Democrat and co-chair of the House Haiti caucus, emphasized the contributions of Haitian TPS holders, stating, "TPS holders are not the problem. Quite the contrary – they are part of the solution."

Despite opposition from House Republican leaders, the vote was forced by a discharge petition signed by 218 lawmakers. Some Republicans expressed concern about the implications of deporting Haitians back to a country plagued by violence and instability. New York Republican Mike Lawler noted the need for a process to adjudicate immigration claims for TPS holders to prevent a collapse in the healthcare system, where many work. Florida Republican Carlos Gimenez echoed these sentiments, stating, "It is neither safe nor humane to force our neighbors back into those conditions."

In contrast, some Republicans criticized the bill, arguing that it undermines immigration enforcement and citing instances of crime among Haitians. Florida's Randy Fine described the TPS program as a "scam" that has allowed 350,000 people to remain in the US for too long.

Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal expressed hope that the bill would influence the Supreme Court's decision on TPS cancellations, asserting that the legislation sends a strong bipartisan message about the dangers facing returnees to Haiti.

What to watch: The Senate's response to the House bill and its potential impact on the Supreme Court's upcoming decision regarding TPS.