Republican Congressman Michael V. Lawler (New York, District 17) wrote to President Donald Trump to speak out in defense of Haitians living in the United States under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and urge the Trump administration to maintain the current TPS designation for Haiti as August 2025 approaches https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44324-haiti-flash-end-of-tps-in-august-2025-opening-the-door-to-the-expulsion-of-haitians.html

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"I urge the Administration to extend Temporary Protected Status for the many Haitians in our country. This is critically important for the Haitian community in the Hudson Valley," Congressman Michael V. Lawler.

February 19, 2025

Dear President Trump,

I write today 10 encourage the Administration 10 keep Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in place for Haitian citizens. For years, the security environment in Haili has been spiraling out of

ontrol, leaving the country unstable and dangerous for communities still in the coumry. \Vitl1 such H critical situation ongoing in Haili. it is paramount that you maintain the current TPS designation for Haiti ond extend this designation in the coming months.

With the close proximity of Haiti to the U.S. and our long history with the country, there has always been a strong interest in the wellbeing of the I laitian people. According 10 the U.S. Census Bureau, over one million individuals of Haitian descent live in the U.S. I represent one of the largest I laitian diaspora constituencies and can say with experience that they are good people who care deeply about their communities here in the U.S. and back in Haiti.

Since August 2021. Haitian citizens present in the U.S. have been eligible for TPS, with it currently set to expire in February 2026. TPS allows nationals of a foreign country already present in the U.S. to slay in the country under temporary status if their home country is experiencing ongoing armed conflict or another extraordinary situation that would prevent nation a ls from safely returning.

While certain other TPS designations hove been abused by Democratic administrations in the past. Haili· s designation is clearly warranted. The 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise plunged the country into unprecedented instability and conditions hove only worsened since then. A new government was never truly formed and now armed gangs largely comrol thc country, Gang violence. including sexual violence. have become severe crises and the humanitarian situation has deteriorated as well. Citizen security has proven non-existent.

Unfortunately, the Biden Administration did not prioritize the return of law and order to Haiti and did not make any meaningful change in the country. Rather, Port-au-Prince only became more unstable and unsafe for the Haitian people. The previous Administration's lack of commitmem ro reaching a brighter future for Haiti has had serious implications. Conditions in Haiti are as dangerous as ever and continue to intensify daily.

Until change is made, Haiti clearly continues lo meet the criteria for TPS. I urge you to extend the designation as it gets closer to August and look forward to working with you on addressing this issue. as well as others facing Haili and Haitian diaspora in the U.S.

Sincerely.

Michael V. Lowler

Member of Congress"

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44324-haiti-flash-end-of-tps-in-august-2025-opening-the-door-to-the-expulsion-of-haitians.html

HL/ HaitiLibre