Several House Republicans joined Democrats on Wednesday, April 15th, to force a vote on a bill that would extend temporary protected status for about 350,000 Haitians Immigrants living in the United States.
The procedural vote advanced a measure to reinstate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians, overriding the Trump administration’s decision to end the program. It marked the first time this congressional term that Republican lawmakers voted against one of President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
Bipartisan Support Forces Floor Action
The bill, led by Democrats including Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts and Rep. Laura Gillen of New York, directs the Department of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for TPS for three years, through 2029.
All House Democrats supported the effort, joined by at least four Republicans who signed a discharge petition earlier this year: Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar of Florida, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Rep. Mike Lawler of New York, and Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska.
The discharge petition reached the required 218 signatures in late March, compelling House leaders to allow the vote. On Wednesday, six Republicans voted with 212 Democrats to move the bill forward, according to reports on the proceedings.
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TPS allows eligible nationals from designated countries to remain in the United States and work legally when conditions in their home country prevent safe return. Haiti has held TPS designation due to ongoing instability, natural disasters, and security issues.
The Trump administration had moved to terminate the protections, with an end date earlier this year.
Vote Highlights Republican Party Divisions
The action came as the House considered the measure amid broader debates over immigration enforcement. Supporters argued the extension provides stability for long-term residents who have built lives and contributed to the U.S. economy, particularly in communities with large Haitian populations such as South Florida and the Northeast.
No additional details on the final tally or further debate were immediately available beyond the procedural advance.
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The vote directly affects approximately 350,000 Haitian nationals and their families who hold or qualify for TPS. These individuals can continue living and working in the United States without immediate risk of deportation if the bill progresses further. Many have resided here for years, filling jobs in health care, hospitality, and other sectors.
This rare bipartisan break on immigration signals potential limits to unified Republican support for the administration’s hardline approach. It sets up possible further votes in the House and tests whether similar cross-party efforts could emerge on other TPS designations or related policies.
The House is expected to take up final passage of the bill as soon as Thursday. If approved, it would still need Senate action and faces a likely veto from President Trump.
A separate Supreme Court case on the termination of Haitian TPS is scheduled for arguments later this spring, adding another layer of legal uncertainty for the 350,000 beneficiaries
