WASHINGTON, D.C.- In a move with direct impact on families across the Hudson Valley, Congressman Mike Lawler voted to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals, citing ongoing violence and instability in Haiti.
The legislation, co-led by Lawler and fellow New York Representative Laura Gillen, a Long Island Democrat, passed the House of Representatives by a 223–204 vote. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.
TPS allows individuals from designated countries facing dangerous conditions to live and work legally in the United States. Lawler emphasized that conditions in Haiti, including widespread gang violence, political unrest, and a worsening humanitarian crisis, make it unsafe for many to return.
“No one should be forced to go back to those conditions,” Lawler said in a statement, noting that the U.S. State Department has deemed the country unsafe.
Closer to home, Lawler pointed to the contributions of Haitian residents throughout his district, describing them as vital members of the local workforce and community fabric. “They are healthcare workers, small business owners, and faith leaders,” he said. “They are an integral part of our community.”
The extension of TPS is particularly significant for New York’s Haitian population, many of whom live and work in the Hudson Valley. Supporters of the bill say it provides stability for families while broader solutions are considered at the federal level.
If approved by the Senate and signed into law, the measure would ensure continued protections for thousands of Haitians currently residing in the United States.
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