Van Hollen, Markey, Wasserman Schultz, Pressley Lead Colleagues in Filing Amicus Brief Challenging Trump Administration’s Unlawful Termination of Temporary Protected Status

Senators Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-25), and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07) today led 26 Senators and 157 Representatives in filing an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court inMiot v. Trump, a consolidated case challenging the Trump administration’s unlawful termination of Haiti and Syria Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
This case also has grave implications for all TPS holders. In the brief, the lawmakers urge the Court to preserve TPS protections, emphasizing the bipartisan support for TPS and the immense public interest served by TPS holders in Massachusetts and across the United States. The brief also highlights how the TPS statute was intended to provide safe haven to protect those fleeing violence abroad.
“For thousands of Haitians and Syrians – many of whom have been living and working here legally for years after fleeing for their safety—being forced to leave the United States would put their lives and their livelihoods at grave risk. The Administration is asking the Supreme Court to disregard that danger, while also rubber-stamping the Administration’s effort to ignore Congressional intent around the TPS program as a whole—so they can terminate countries’ designations across the board to advance their mass deportation agenda. As this brief makes clear, the Supreme Court must stop this lawless Administration from carrying out politically motivated TPS cancellations—which will force countless people back to countries where it is unsafe to return,”said Senator Van Hollen.
“The humanitarian crisis in Haiti is dire and worsening, and Haitian TPS holders are unable to return home safely,”said Senator Markey. “As Donald Trump unlawfully strips this community of critical legal protections, we must protect the individuals who came to our country seeking safe harbor. We must also protect all TPS holders, who are deeply rooted in Massachusetts and in communities across the country—they are our friends, our family members, our neighbors, and our colleagues. We must not turn our backs on them now.”
“Haiti is overrun by criminal gangs, who kidnap women and girls, extort residents for protection money, and kill with impunity. We must preserve their TPS and protect their lives and safety,”said Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz. “As a descendent of immigrants who fled repression and antisemitism, I'll always fight for law-abiding immigrant families who fled desperate circumstances and who work hard, pay taxes, pass criminal background checks, and contribute to our economy and communities.”
“Our Haitian neighbors are dedicated parents, workers, caregivers, faith leaders, business owners, and children who strengthen our communities and are essential to our economy,”said Congresswoman Pressley. “Trump's attempts to end Temporary Protected Status for Haiti, Venezuela, Syria, and other nations in crisis is cruel, unlawful, and life-threatening for families across the country, which is why we’re using every tool available to push back. The Supreme Court must uphold the law and preserve these essential, life-saving protections for our neighbors.”
“Congress created Temporary Protected Status as a lifeline for people fleeing violence or a humanitarian crisis,”said Senator Durbin. “As the Trump Administration launches attack after attack on our immigrant communities, including unlawfully ripping protections from TPS holders from Haiti and Syria, we must stand up for these immigrants who came to the U.S. seeking temporary refuge and safety. SCOTUS must allow for review of the Trump Administration’s attempts to sidestep this process and unlawfully rip protections from TPS holders.”
“Donald Trump and his Administration’s multiple attempts to end TPS for Haiti and Syria are unlawful, plain and simple,”said Senator Padilla. “Federal Courts have ruled time and again in favor of preserving protections and we will continue to fight this Administration and urge the Supreme Court to uphold these decisions because anything short of that would jeopardize the safety and status of people seeking safety who are contributing to our communities and workforce across the United States.”
Joining Senators Van Hollen and Markey on the brief in the Senate are Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Christopher A. Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick. Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).