We celebrate a critical and long-overdue victory as the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1689, legislation to designate and protect Haitians who work and live with us under Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
This action reflects both moral clarity and political courage from the bipartisan group of lawmakers who stepped forward to do the right thing at a time when Haiti is facing compounding crises—from political instability and violence to natural disasters and economic collapse. This couldn’t have been achieved without the leadership of Representatives Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) and Laura Gillen (R-NY), who not only took on the task of getting support for the discharge petition but also for this bill.
For years, Haitian families in the United States have lived in uncertainty, contributing to our communities while fearing separation and deportation. Today’s vote affirms what we have always known: that Haitians deserve safety, dignity, and the ability to live and work without fear.
Temporary Protected Status is not just a policy – it is a lifeline. By passing H.R. 1689, the House has taken an essential step toward honoring our shared values and responding to the urgent realities on the ground in Haiti and to the many valuable contributions– cultural, humanitarian, economic– of Haitians and Haitian-Americans to the fabric of our society.
But the fight is not over. The bill now moves to the U.S. Senate, where senators must act swiftly to pass H.R. 1689 and send it to the President’s desk. We call on the Senate to stand with Haitian communities, uphold humanitarian protections, and ensure that this critical legislation becomes law without delay.
Tessa Petit is executive director of the Florida Immigrant Coalition.