Durbin Delivers Opening Statement In His Spotlight Forum On Termination Of TPS For Immigrants In Need

September 29, 2026 Durbin Delivers Opening Statement In His Spotlight Forum On Termination Of TPS For Immigrants In Need Durbin: “It doesn’t have to be this way. Americans are better people than that. We are not going to turn away innocent, hardworking people who are doing their best.” WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today co-hosted a spotlight forum entitled “The Economic and Community Impacts of the Trump Administration’s Haphazard TPS [Temporary Protection Status] Terminations and the Need for a New Path Forward” in conjunction with U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Alex Padilla (D-CA). Today’s forum examined the devastating impacts of TPS terminations on long-time immigrants, their families, and their communities. In June, the Supreme Court ruled in Mullin v. Doe that the TPS statute did not allow for judicial review of TPS decisions, paving the way for the Trump Administration to terminate TPS for countries that remain extremely dangerous and unsafe for return. The second Trump Administration has terminated TPS for 13 countries that have come up for review, including Afghanistan, Burma, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen. Additionally, the Trump Administration has yet to announce whether it will extend TPS for El Salvadorians after the country’s TPS designation expired in early September. In his opening statement, Durbin spoke about visiting Haiti and the need to continue offering support and safe haven for those fleeing violence in the country. Durbin has also been a vocal supporter and original co-sponsor of Van Hollen’s SECURE Act , legislation that would allow qualified TPS and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) recipients a path to legal permanent residency. Key quotes: “I was serving in the Senate at the time with a fellow named Mike DeWine. Mike is the Governor of Ohio, and he and his wife, Fran, had become my friends. Different political parties, but we both agreed Haiti was worth visiting.” “Mike did more than visit. He and Fran went there regularly and adopted churches and groups to try to help them along. He still does it, so he invited me to join him. I took the trip with him and his wife, and we met some of his friends, particularly one Catholic priest named Father Tom Hagan.” “Father Tom Hagan runs an operation called Hands Together. They’ve got everything. They’ve got nursery schools. They’ve got daycare. They’ve got regular schools. They’ve got things for senior citizens, and they’re smack dab in the middle of Port-au-Prince. And it’s a pretty tough territory, gang infested. They’ve been through a lot, Father Hagan has with his charity.” “It brings to mind this conversation we’re having. TPS stands for Temporary Protected Status. When we look at it, I look at the word ‘protected.’ It’s the first thing I think of—protect the people who are the most vulnerable, refugees who leave countries and situations not of their own creation but are just trying to keep their children alive and keep themselves alive.” “Unfortunately, when the Trump Administration looks at TPS, they look at a different word—‘temporary.’ It’s all about time. How long have they been here? How long will they stay?” “We know the answer to the question as to whether or not America needs immigrants. I’m the son of an immigrant, proud of it. We still need immigrants to this day from countries like Haiti and all over the world to come to the United States. And if they come to this country and they’re willing to work, and they don’t cause any problems with crime, I believe they should be given a chance.” “They’re working hard and becoming part of their community and raising their families. Why would we turn them away? As Chris [Senator Van Hollen] said, Haiti is a place where we warn American citizens that it’s a ‘Level 4’ dangerous place—don’t ever travel there if you can avoid it. Now we’re saying to these people [Haitian immigrants], hundreds of them, go back into this dangerous situation.” “It doesn’t have to be this way. Americans are better people than that. We are not going to turn away innocent, hardworking people who are doing their best. That’s this immigrant story today, and it’s been the story from the beginning.” “We cannot let these people down, whether it’s El Salvador or Haiti, whatever their origin may be. If they’re working hard in the United States, I believe they should be protected.” Video of Durbin’s remarks is available here . Audio of Durbin’s remarks is available here . -30- Print Email Share Tweet