Time is Up: Republican Senators Must Vote to Extend TPS

There aren’t many instances in today’s divisive political climate where consensus not only seems possible but rather incredibly feasible and obvious. Choosing humanity and extending temporary protected status (TPS) for 330,000 Haitians is that issue ^[1].

TPS is granted to certain immigrants living in the United States when it is unsafe for them to return to their home country due to war, natural disaster, or political instability^[2]. It was first granted to Haitians in 2010 after a devastating earthquake that resulted in more than 200,000 deaths. The federal government can extend it if conditions remain dangerous, as they have in the case of Haiti. (That didn’t prevent President Trump from trying unsuccessfully to end TPS for the Haitians during his first term^[3].) 

At the end of June, the Supreme Court ruled the Trump administration could terminate TPS for Haitians and Syrians^[2]. The decision also highlighted that it is the secretary of homeland security who has the authority to grant or end TPS, not the courts. 

Now living without this protected status, many Haitians are extremely fearful of what’s going to happen next. In Springfield, Ohio, several have received call-in letters to meet with immigration officials^[4]. Some have been forced to wear ankle monitors^[5], as if they have committed some heinous crime and cannot be trusted, when all they have done is follow the rules, accept a legitimate legal pathway that was offered to them, and become hard-working, taxpaying members of our society. 

We’re still restricting U.S. airlines from flying into Haiti’s airspace because it’s too dangerous^[6]. So how exactly is it safe to send Haitian immigrants back to their home country? Simple answer — it’s not, and it would be inconceivable to force them to return.  

There is already existing legislation that would allow Haitians to stay for the time being. In April, thanks to a bipartisan congressional effort that included 10 Republicans voting with Democrats, the House approved a three-year extension of TPS for the Haitians^[7]. So now, it’s up to our Republican-led Senate to pass H.R. 1689. 

A call to action

To our senators from Florida (Rick Scott and Ashley Moody) and Ohio (Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted): the notable Haitian populations you have in areas like Miami^[8] and Springfield^[9], respectively, contribute immensely to your local economies and work in crucial industries, such as healthcare and agriculture. According to policy organization FWD.us, Haitian TPS holders contribute approximately $5.9 billion to the U.S. economy each year^[10]. Five Republican House members from your two states voted in favor of the extension^[11], and you should follow their lead. Republican Ohio governor Mike DeWine has been vocal about his opposition to ending TPS on multiple occasions, including saying that sending Haitians back to Haiti would be sending them “back to hell.”^[12] 

To the Republican senators not seeking reelection^[13], complete your congressional career by standing up to the current administration and making the honorable choice to protect our innocent Haitian neighbors. (Hoping outgoing senators John Cornyn^[14] and Bill Cassidy^[15] will join this group as well.) 

To any senator who would currently vote against extending TPS, I urge you to pinpoint a single reason for that decision, other than one laced in hatred or a misguided desire to appease the president. Are you swayed by moral arguments? Economic stability? Respect for the rule of law? Congratulations, you’re 0 for 3. Sometimes, decisions are simple. 

The Trump administration’s fixation on ending TPS is not about protecting us from violent criminals; it’s about whitewashing the country and eliminating the “others.” Vice President Vance^[16] and President Trump^[17] have repeatedly demonized Haitians, even notoriously falsely claiming they eat pets. And they aren’t the only current targets. The Department of Homeland Security has deemed that, in addition to Haiti and Syria, Honduras, Nicaragua, Somalia, Burma (Myanmar), South Sudan, Yemen, Venezuela, Nepal, and Ethiopia no longer meet the conditions for TPS^[18]. 

With regard to the Haitians, the Trump administration is offering them a $2,600 bonus if they self-deport promptly^[19]…to a country overwhelmed by gang control and violence, widespread sexual abuse of women and girls, food insecurity, and an unstable health system^[20]. How generous of our government to offer such an incentive as they hunt innocent people down in the streets.  

Members of the Trump administration can keep repeating the talking points about how these ICE actions are making us safer and how they’re going after criminals. It doesn’t take much intelligence or sheer thought to recognize that’s not the case when it comes to ongoing immigration enforcement actions, and it’s certainly not the case when it comes to these Haitian individuals. (They literally have to meet certain criminal record requirements to be eligible for TPS^[21].) 

Amid this horrific reality, there have been some signs of hope. On Aug. 9, hundreds gathered outside a federal immigration office to express solidarity with the Haitians from Springfield who had to check in^[22]. This showing of support needs to be replicated in every town, outside every immigration office as our neighbors are being forced to report and are being treated like criminals. 

For the everyday Americans who are not members of Congress but still have an important role to play, we should be using this issue to show ourselves, and the rest of the world, that Americans still hold honorable values and will stand up and fight to protect innocent people who are being scapegoated and harmed. It isn’t enough for us to talk about how sad and horrible things are and then resume our daily routines; we have to act, and mobilize around this issue in the same way people flooded the streets in Minneapolis and Los Angeles when massive numbers of immigration enforcement officers descended on their cities. 

Reach out to your senators today, make sure they know where you stand as a constituent, and urge them to vote in favor of allowing the Haitians to stay. (Senators are currently in recess until Sept. 14^[23]. We need to flood the voicemail boxes of their local offices until then so they feel the urgent need to vote on the bill once they return.) 

In order for S.4814 to pass, we only need to flip four Republican senators (easy, right?!), assuming all Democrats vote yes. This will only be the beginning of the fight, as President Trump will almost surely veto the bill, indicating we’ll need a two-thirds majority to overturn his decision. But it’s a start, and hopefully, if a few step up and decide to protect our Haitian neighbors, more will feel comfortable and compelled to do the same. The public support is there; we just need to make our position clear.