New York City Council Member Farah Louis has called upon Congress to reinstate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals amid increasingly critical conditions in Haiti. The resolution is designed to compel the U.S. Senate to pass Senate Bill 4814 and subsequently have the president sign it into law. Louis emphasized the necessity for federal action, citing that the cessation of TPS would significantly impact thousands of families of Haitian descent living in New York City.
Current Conditions in Haiti
The appeal from Louis comes as Haiti endures rampant gang violence, ongoing political turbulence, food insecurity, and substantial humanitarian challenges. According to recent United Nations statistics included in the resolution, around 1.47 million individuals have been displaced due to violence, while approximately 5.8 million face food insecurity.
TPS is a program that permits eligible foreign nationals from designated countries to reside in the United States and gain work authorization when returning home is deemed unsafe. Haiti was initially granted TPS following the catastrophic earthquake in 2010, which resulted in over 220,000 fatalities and left around 1.5 million persons homeless.
Louis articulates that terminating TPS would adversely affect New York City, home to one of the largest Haitian immigrant populations in the nation. It is estimated that around 40,000 Haitian nationals in New York hold TPS from a nationwide total of approximately 350,000.
“Haiti is facing a profound humanitarian and security crisis, and sending Haitian families back into these conditions is unconscionable,” remarked Louis. She underscored the contributions of the Haitian community to the city, highlighting their integral roles as neighbors, workers, business owners, parents, and community leaders.
This resolution follows a recent announcement by the Department of Homeland Security in June 2025 that it would terminate Haiti’s TPS designation. Haitian nationals mounted a legal challenge to this decision, which momentarily preserved their protections. However, on June 25, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the government’s ability to end TPS for Haiti.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York has voiced his support for the continuation of TPS, asserting that Haitian TPS recipients are vital contributors to the U.S. economy. Schumer stated, “Haitians living in the United States under TPS are legally working, paying taxes, and greatly boosting the state economy to the tune of $1.1 billion per year.” He expressed gratitude to Louis for her advocacy and urged Senate Republicans to collaborate in advancing the bill.
Senate Bill 4814, introduced by Senator Edward Markey, seeks to extend TPS designation for Haiti at least until three months post-January 20, 2029. Its counterpart in the House, House Bill 1689, was passed on April 16, 2026. If enacted, the legislation would afford protections against removal and employment authorization for eligible Haitian nationals.
Why It Matters
The call to restore TPS for Haitians comes at a time when humanitarian conditions in Haiti are deteriorating. The resolution reflects the city’s commitment to supporting its immigrant communities, especially those from Haiti, highlighting the economic and social contributions of these residents to New York City. The outcome of this legislative effort could have profound implications for thousands of families residing in the United States under the current protections.
