Republican Congressman Urges US President Trump to Keep TPS in Place for Haitians
WASHINGTON, DC – Republican, Michael V. Lawler, has written to President Donald Trump urging his administration to keep Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in place for Haitian citizens.
“For years, the security environment in Haiti has been spiraling out of control, leaving the country unstable and dangerous for communities still in the country,’ he wrote, adding “with such a critical situation ongoing in Haiti, it is paramount that you maintain the current TPS designation for Haiti and extend this designation in the coming months”.
The US government announced last Thursday that it will end the TPS for 500,000 Haitians living in the country in August.
The Department of Homeland Security said TPS has been held by Haitians since 2010 and will be ending on 3 August 2025. This means they will lose their work permits and could be eligible for deportation
“For decades the TPS system has been exploited and abused,” the Department for Homeland Security said in a statement, adding the system has allowed Haitians who “entered the US illegally, to qualify for legal protected status”.
In his letter, Lawler said with the close proximity of Haiti to the United States ”and our long history with the country, there has always been a strong interest in the wellbeing of the Haitian people. “
The Republican legislator said that according to the U.S. Census Bureau, over one million individuals of Haitian descent live in the United States and he represents one of the largest Haitian diaspora constituencies and “can say with experience that they are good people who care deeply about their communities here in the U.S. and back in Haiti.
”Since August 2021, Haitian citizens present in the S have been eligible for TPS, with it currently set to expire in February 2026. TPS allows nationals of a foreign country already present in the US to slay in the country under temporary status if their home country is experiencing ongoing armed conflict or another extraordinary situation that would prevent nationals from safely returning.”
Lawler said that while certain other TPS designations have been abused by Democratic administrations in the past, “Haiti’s designation is clearly warranted.
“The 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise plunged the country into unprecedented instability and conditions have only worsened since then. A new government was never truly formed and now armed gangs largely control the country, Gang violence. including sexual violence. have become severe crises and the humanitarian situation has deteriorated as well. Citizen security has proven non-existent.”
The Republican said unfortunately, the Biden administration did not prioritize the return of law and order to Haiti and did not make any meaningful change in the country.
“Rather, Port-au-Prince only became more unstable and unsafe for the Haitian people. The previous Administration’s lack of commitment to reaching a brighter future for Haiti has had serious implications. Conditions in Haiti are as dangerous as ever and continue to intensify daily.
”Until change is made, Haiti clearly continues lo meet the criteria for TPS. I urge you to extend the designation as it gets closer to August and look forward to working with you on addressing this issue. as well as others facing Haiti and Haitian diaspora in the US,” Lawler wrote.
