Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick Urges The Biden Administration to Redesignate TPS Status for Haitian Nationals

WASHINGTON, D.C. ─ Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20) led a group of 40 lawmakers urging President Biden and DHS Secretary Mayorkas to redesignate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians in the United States. 

Haiti continues to face a series of escalating crises, including political instability, widespread violence, economic collapse, and devastating natural disasters. Gang violence has surged to unprecedented levels, displacing families, disrupting daily life, and contributing to a humanitarian emergency. Access to basic needs such as food, clean water, and medical care remains severely limited, while recovery from past disasters has been painfully slow. The situation has been exacerbated by the inability of Haitian institutions to ensure safety and governance for their citizens.   

“TPS is a lifeline, especially for Haitians. Renewing these protections ensures we can shield innocent lives from harm and prevent communities from being torn apart,” said Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick. “TPS holders also play a huge role in our economy, supporting essential sectors like healthcare and construction. It is paramount that we extend TPS to guarantee that Haitians can remain safe in a country they’ve contributed so much to.” 

TPS is a critical tool provided under U.S. immigration law to protect individuals from returning to countries experiencing extraordinary and temporary conditions that prevent safe return. Redesignating TPS for Haiti would extend these protections to individuals who arrived in the U.S. after the most recent designation in June, ensuring that those fleeing perilous conditions are not forced to return to circumstances that threaten their lives and well-being. 

In addition to its humanitarian impact, redesignating TPS would enhance America’s workforce and further boost economic contributions. TPS holders are significant contributors to federal, state, and local tax revenues. TPS holders and their households contribute $2.3 billion in federal taxes and $1.3 billion in state and local taxes annually.  

Read the full letter here. 

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