Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley’s push to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians now living in the US cleared a major hurdle in the House on Wednesday, as lawmakers voted 220-207 to advance her bipartisan discharge petition, setting up a final vote on the underlying bill later today.
The measure — if successful — would extend TPS protections for Haitians through April 2029. Pressley managed debate on the House floor ahead of the successful procedural vote, marking a significant step forward for the legislation.
“This is about protecting our Haitian neighbors and ensuring families are not torn apart,” Pressley said, framing the effort as both a humanitarian and moral imperative.
The vote follows months of organizing by Pressley and her allies. Last month, her discharge petition surpassed the 218-signature threshold required to force House consideration — a rare move that underscored bipartisan backing for the issue.
On Tuesday, Pressley and Rep Laura Gillen (NY 04) stood alongside colleagues and advocates at a press conference urging action.
“Haiti is facing extraordinary challenges, and the United States must meet this moment with compassion and urgency,” Pressley said.
Pressley, who co-chairs the House Haiti Caucus and represents a district with a significant Haitian diaspora, has been a leading voice opposing efforts to terminate TPS protections.
In January, she and US Senator Ed Markey held a hearing about the issue in Mattapan.
“We will continue to fight against any attempt to strip protections from Haitian families who deserve safety and stability,” she said.
A final House vote on the TPS extension bill is expected later today, Pressley’s office said.
There are some 350,000 Haitians with TPS in the US, including as many as 50,000 living in Massachusetts.
“To our Haitian neighbors in the Massachusetts 7th and across this country—this is for you,” Pressley added. “Today, we are closer than ever to getting this over the finish line, and the Senate must pick up this critical priority without delay. The lives of our Haitian families, neighbors, and friends depend on it.”
