Senators Markey and Blunt Rochester, Leader Schumer, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Designate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status Amid Trump Administration Attacks

Bill Text (PDF)

Washington (June 17, 2026) - Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), along with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and 16 other Senate colleagues, today introduced legislation to designate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which allows nationals from designated countries facing life-threatening conditions to temporarily live and work legally in the United States. The Senators' legislation preserves TPS protections for more than 300,000 Haitian nationals, offering a critical lifeline as Haiti continues to confront political instability, widespread violence, and a serious humanitarian emergency. While a federal district court temporarily paused the termination of Haiti TPS, the Trump administration appealed, and a decision is now pending before the Supreme Court.

"The Trump administration's cruel, callous, and calculated attempts to terminate TPS for Haitian nationals puts thousands of our neighbors in immediate danger," said Senator Markey. "Haiti is facing life-threatening conditions that have displaced nearly 1.5 million people. This legislation to safeguard Haiti TPS reflects both a moral duty and a recognition of the immense contributions of Haitian TPS holders to our communities. I'm grateful to Senator Blunt Rochester and my partners in Congress for standing together in the fight to protect Haitian TPS holders."

"The extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for the Haitian community was rooted in an undeniable humanitarian crisis that required acknowledgment and increased protection. The Trump administration's decision to terminate this TPS designation not only threatens the safety and stability of our Haitian neighbors, but the economic strength of communities across the country," said Senator Blunt Rochester. "I'm proud to co-lead this legislation with Senator Markey to ensure the Haitian community is treated with the dignity and protections they deserve."

"The cruel and improper steps taken by the Trump administration to terminate the Temporary Protected Status of over 300,000 Haitians in the United States are a sham at best and inhumane at worst," said Leader Schumer. "These are our friends and neighbors who have fled Haiti during one of the most dangerous humanitarian crises in a generation, and eliminating their protected status puts them in immediate danger and undermines communities across our great nation. A bipartisan majority in the House already stepped up, and it's time for the Senate to do the same. We have a moral obligation to get this done as quickly as possible, and I am committed to making that happen."

"Since my discharge petition to extend TPS for Haitians successfully passed the House, we've been pressing hard to continue this fight in the Senate and advance this essential protection," said Representative Ayanna Pressley (MA-07). "Our victory in the House was possible because of the strength and resolve of our broad, diverse grassroots coalition-and we are prepared to double down on our efforts to move this through the Senate. Protecting the safety, dignity, and humanity of our Haitian neighbors is the right thing to do, and our country is strengthened by their contributions to our communities, the economy, our healthcare workforce, and more. With the partnership of Senators Markey and Blunt Rochester, we are focused on delivering for our community members."

"I was proud that the House passed my bipartisan bill in April to extend TPS for Haiti with Republican support," said Representative Laura Gillen (NY-04). "This was a major milestone in the effort to preserve this protection for hardworking, law-abiding Haitians who contribute to our economy. I'm glad that Senators Blunt Rochester and Markey have introduced companion legislation in the Senate and I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this bipartisan effort to protect TPS for our Haitian friends and neighbors."

The legislation is cosponsored by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Angus King (I-Maine), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii.), and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.).

"US Senators have the opportunity to voice their belief and support of a just immigration system that was created to support not only a prosperous United States, but demonstrate the humanity of America and Americans by providing a safe haven for those whose lives are in peril in their home countries. Supporting H.R. 1689 and the extension of TPS for Haiti is not only just and logical, it is both a moral and economic obligation," said Tessa Petit, Executive Director of the Florida Immigration Coalition.

"As Haiti continues to endure extraordinary insecurity, political instability, displacement, and a worsening humanitarian crisis, extending Temporary Protected Status for Haitians is both necessary and urgent. We commend Senators Markey and Blunt-Rochester, and all Members of Congress championing this effort to protect the lives of more than 350,000 Haitians from being forced to return to conditions that remain extremely unsafe and untenable," said Guerline Jozef, Executive Director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance.

"The prospect of forcing over 300,000 men, women, and children to return to Haiti at this time, while the country faces a sustained humanitarian crisis, is unconscionable. Revoking their legal status and work authorization will harm not only these families but the many American communities in which they live and work, including those relying on Haitian TPS holders for essential services. The Senate has an opportunity to exercise political and moral courage by voting to avoid this outcome, as the House of Representatives has done on a bipartisan basis. We urge all senators, regardless of political party, to act accordingly," said Bishop Brendan Cahill, Chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Migration.

"Even the US government admits that Haiti is too dangerous for people to return to. The State Department warns 'do not travel to Haiti for any reason,' the FAA has closed the Port-au-Prince airport to US flights since 2024 and US Citizenship and Immigration Services recommended extending Haiti TPS last year. Our UN Ambassador warned that the effects of Haiti's violence 'threaten not only Haiti but the stability of the wider Caribbean and the Western Hemisphere,'" said Brian Concannon, Executive Director of the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti.

"Protecting TPS for Haiti is both a moral and economic imperative. Haitian TPS holders are our neighbors, workers, parents, caregivers, and contributors to the U.S. economy. We must do everything in our power to ensure they can remain safely and legally in this country while continuing to support their families, communities, and the Commonwealth," said Dr. Geralde Gabeau, Chief Executive Officer of the Immigrant Family Services Institute (Boston).

"We respectfully call upon the United States Senate to take immediate legislative action to provide stability and certainty for Haitian TPS holders and their families. Congressional leadership is needed now more than ever to ensure that individuals are not forced to return to life-threatening conditions while Haiti remains engulfed in crisis. America has always been strongest when it balances security with compassion and law with humanity. We urge Senators from both parties to recognize the extraordinary circumstances facing Haiti and to support measures that preserve TPS protections and provide long-term solutions for affected families," said Rev. Dr. Dieufort J. Fleurissaint, Chair of Haitian Americans United, Inc. (Boston).

"Haitian families with TPS are vital members of our churches, communities, and local economies. They must be protected from mass deportation," said Bishop Dwayne Royster, Executive Director of Faith in Action.

"Deportation to Haiti, in its current conditions, divides families, and puts our community members' lives at risk. A vote to extend Haiti TPS, strengthens the US economy, and saves lives and keeps Haitian families together," said Paul Christian Namphy, Lead Organizer at the Family Action Network Movement (Miami).

"Temporary Protected Status (TPS) provides stability, dignity, and opportunity for hundreds of thousands of hardworking individuals and families who have built their lives, careers, and communities in the United States. Extending TPS is not only a humanitarian necessity-it is an investment in the economic strength, family stability, and well-being of communities across our nation," said Thamara Labrousse, Executive Director of the Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center (Miami).

"Immigrant workers with TPS are a vital part of our care economy. They are also trusted members of our communities - neighbors who contribute to the places they live, who worship, send their children to school, and deserve the freedom to build full and dignified lives in this country, far beyond the hours they spend caring for others. Ending their protections means longer waitlists, deeper shortages, and more families forced to choose between a paycheck and caring for a loved one. We're proud to support Senator Markey's bill to extend TPS because you cannot build a stable care system on fear, and the dignity of the people who give care is inseparable from the dignity of those who receive it," said Jenn Stowe, Executive Director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance.

"The half million Haitians who call the United States home deserve better from our federal government and termination of Temporary Protected Status is inhumane and unconscionable. We commend our legislative leaders, particularly Congresswoman Pressley and Senator Markey, for moving forward legislation to meet this moment and stand with our Haitian friends, neighbors and colleagues," said Elizabeth Sweet, Executive Director of the MIRA Coalition.

"No matter if you were born in the US or immigrated to this country, we all feel the impact of the White House's attack on TPS holders. SEIU members stand in solidarity with Haitians with TPS, as well as those with TPS from other countries. People with TPS are our friends, neighbors, extended family members, and coworkers. They are the essential workers that keep our economy going in good and bad times. They deserve dignity, respect, and a path to citizenship, not deportation to danger," said Rocio Saenz, Secretary-Treasurer of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

On April 14, 2026, Senator Markey, Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) led 26 Senators and 157 Representatives in filing an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court in Miot v. Trump, a consolidated case challenging the Trump administration's unlawful termination of Haiti and Syria Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Last year, Senator Markey led an amicus brief in Miot v. Trump, when the case was before the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

The legislation is endorsed by Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti, Venezuelan American Caucus, Village Engage / Mill Village Ministries, Arab American Heritage Council, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Justice Team, NACCP, Refugee Advocacy Lab, Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project, Passionists International, Archdiocese of Miami, National Domestic Workers Alliance / Care in Action, Borderlands Resource Initiative, Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS), Arab American Institute (AAI), Haitian Women's Collective, G92, Summits Education, Communities United for Status & Protection (CUSP), Tahirih Justice Center, Presbyterian Church (USA)-Office of Public Witness, Florida For All, Movement Of Love For Haiti (MLHA), Voces de la Frontera, Good Samaritan, American Jewish World Service, Global Refuge, LIUNA, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Migration, Food Justice DMV, Haitian Americans United Inc, Bethel Evangelical Church, First Timothy Christian Church, Amazing Grace Ministries of PBC Inc, Global Justice Clinic (NYU School of Law), Haitian Americans United for Progress, Ephphatha Medical Care Services LLC, Good Samaritan Relief Inc, Haiti Solidarity Network of the Northeast, Jesus Lounge Ministry, HCLC Inc, IFSI-USA, Youthaiti, Network Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, Faith in Action, Haitian Bridge Alliance, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), National Immigration Law Center (NILC), Fellowship Des Eglises Baptistes Haitiennes De Miami, Immigrants' List Civic Action, Coalición de Derechos Humanos, Caribbean Georgia Votes, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas - Justice Team, Freedom for Immigrants, Volunteer Association and Fund of Florida, Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union, Hope Border Institute, Haitian-American Foundation for Democracy, Environmental Justice Initiative for Haiti, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), National Nurses United, NAKASEC, Semillas Colombia, Justice in Motion, The United Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society, Black Liberation Alliance Movement, Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees, COSMOS, Quixote Center, Miramar Haitian-American Residents Business Owners, Church World Service, Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), World Renew, Florida Student Power Network, Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP) - Maine, USAHello, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, Immigrant Legal Resource Center, Sonnen Lanbi an, Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef), Safe Harbor Circles, AEDAP, Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC), Immigrant Welcome Network Of Johnson County-Iowa, AFT, Li Li Li Read, Alternative Chance, Beraca Community Development Corporation, Community Powerhouse Consulting & Coaching LLC, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), Make the Road New Jersey, Voto Latino, The Workers Circle, We are CASA, Family Action Network Movement (FANM), National Partnership For New Americans, Catholic Legal Services-Archdiocese of Miami, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, Haiti H2O: Hope to Opportunity, Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM), Haitian American Lawyers Association of New York, Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition, South Florida Muslim Federation, National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC), Make the Road States, Unidos MN, Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition, Haitian American Alliance, American Immigration Lawyers Association, AFL-CIO, Lawyers for Good Government, Muslim Advocates, Union for Reform Judaism, Florida Immigrant Coalition, Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center, Power Up People, National Haitian American Elected Officials Network (NHAEON), Central American Resource Center-CARECEN of Northern California, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL), National Immigration Project, Bethlehem Haitian Baptist Church, Refugees International, Haitian American Alliance of New York, Hope Community Church (Charleroi, PA), Bethel Evangelical Baptist Church / SBC National Haitian Fellowship, Raising Haiti Foundation, Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church Haiti Committee (Arlington, VA), Konbit Lakay, Edeyouth Inc, and Haitian Lawyers Association.

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