House Advances Haitian TPS Extension Bill

The U.S. House of Representatives advanced legislation on Wednesday to extend Temporary Protected Status for hundreds of thousands of Haitian immigrants, clearing a procedural hurdle with votes from six Republicans joining all Democrats in a 219-209 tally. The measure, introduced by Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., would reinstate protections for up to three years, allowing eligible Haitians to remain in the country and work legally amid ongoing instability in their homeland.

The bill, known as HR 965, advanced through a rare discharge petition process, which Democrats used to force a floor vote and bypass Republican leadership's control over the legislative agenda. This maneuver required 218 signatures and succeeded with support from Reps. Don Bacon of Nebraska, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Carlos Gimenez of Florida, Mike Lawler of New York, Maria Elvira Salazar of Florida, and Nicole Malliotakis of New York. California Rep. Kevin Kiley, an independent who previously caucused with Republicans, also voted in favor. A final House vote on the legislation is scheduled for Thursday.

Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, provides temporary relief from deportation for nationals of...