Rep. Gillen Applauds Senate Introduction of Companion Legislation to Protect Haitian TPS Recipients

June 18, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON, DC — Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04) welcomed the introduction of Senate companion legislation led by U.S. Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), alongside Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and 16 additional Senate colleagues, to designate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The legislation mirrors Rep. Gillen’s bill, H.R. 1689, which passed the House in April on a bipartisan basis and would preserve TPS protections for more than 300,000 Haitian nationals, allowing eligible individuals to continue living and working legally in the United States as Haiti faces ongoing political instability, widespread violence, and a deepening humanitarian crisis. “I was proud that the House passed my bipartisan bill in April to extend TPS for Haiti with Republican support,” said Rep. Laura Gillen . “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 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 Rep. 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.” The bill text is linked here . 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.). ###