Gillen bill to extend protected status for Haitians to get House vote

WASHINGTON — An effort to force the U.S. House to vote on a bill from Long Island Democratic Long Rep. Laura Gillen that would extend protected status for nearly 350,000 Haitian nationals has gained enough bipartisan member signatures for a vote.

Boosted by four Republicans who joined Democrats in signing the "discharge petition," a majority in the 435-seat House now backs a vote on Gillen’s bill that would extend the status to 2029. That means the measure can be brought to the floor in a matter of weeks, without the support of Speaker Mike Johnson and other GOP House leaders.

"I’m proud that my bill to extend TPS for Haitian Americans now has the bipartisan support needed to force a vote on this dire issue in Congress," said Gillen (D-Rockville Centre), in a statement. "Bringing this bill to a vote is an important milestone to protect the lives of our Haitian friends and neighbors across the country."

Temporary Protected Status is designed to address situations in which returning people to their home countries would put them in jeopardy of ongoing violence, humanitarian crises or environmental disaster.

But the Department of Homeland Security last year announced the termination of Haiti’s Temporary Protected Status, effective Feb. 3, 2026, citing what it said were improved conditions in the Caribbean country. Federal courts temporarily blocked the move before it could take effect, but Trump administration arguments before the Supreme Court are expected in April.

Gillen and other lawmakers say the situation in Haiti is volatile and declining, not improved.

They note that between January and May of last year, 2,680 people have been killed and 1.3 million Haitians have been displaced from their homes due to ongoing gang violence. Her bill, which Republican Lawler also co-sponsored along with Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) and others, would direct the Department of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for temporary protected status until Jan. 20, 2029.

Gillen in her letters to the administration and arguments elsewhere has also underscored that Nassau County and other parts of Long Island and New York State are home to one of the largest Haitian American populations in the country, "and our Haitian neighbors have made significant contributions to our community."

"Hardworking, law-abiding Haitians who have come here legally and face extreme danger in their home country should not have their status suddenly terminated," Gillen wrote to former Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem in one letter last June.

The legislation was the first measure Gillen introduced after arriving in Washington last year as a freshman House member for the start of this two-year session.

Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) was instrumental in spearheading the signature push to force a vote, with Rep. Mike Lawler (R-Pearl River), being one of the four Republicans who signed the discharge petition.

Outside groups, including the AFL-CIO, have been actively lobbying for members to sign and help pass Gillen’s bill

"Time is of the essence," urged an AFL-CIO letter circulated to lawmakers last week. The letter noted the upcoming Supreme Court arguments, and said, "Haitian TPS holders face uncertainty and instability while their lives and livelihoods hang in the balance."