For Immediate Release: July 23, 2026
Contact: Heather Cabral, press@faithnaction.org
Washington – Yesterday, the Senate failed to pass H.R. 1689 which would have extended TPS for Haitians. Their protection will end soon unless the Administration takes action.
Polling shows that nearly three-quarters (73%) of Americans believe immigration is a good thing for the United States, and majorities say legal immigration strengthens the workforce and contributes to tax revenues. Americans continue to support practical immigration solutions over political theater. Yesteday’s decision is counter to what the majority of Americans beleive in.
Haitian TPS holders are deeply embedded in America’s workforce, particularly in healthcare, elder care, hospitality, transportation, retail, and construction. In South Florida—including the Fort Lauderdale area—employers rely heavily on Haitian workers. Losing these employees will worsen existing labor shortages, disrupt healthcare systems, strain airport and tourism operations, and hurt local economies that depend on a stable workforce. Experts have warned that ending TPS would intensify caregiver shortages and negatively affect industries already struggling to hire enough workers.
Leaders with Faith in Action International shared the following statements:
Pr. Keny Felix, Senior pastor of Bethel Evangelical Baptist Church in Miami Gardens:
“We’re devastated that the Senate chose to not protect the lives of over 300,000 Haitians living across our communities. Allowing Haitian TPS holders to remain in the United States as Haiti continues to struggle with rampant gang violence, political instability, food insecurity and the internal displacement of more than one million residents was about embracing their humanity and preserving mixed-status families without the threat of deportation. The Senate failed to do this today. This will also be a significant loss for communities throughout the U.S. where Haitian TPS holders contribute greatly as part of the labor force across industries.”
Fr. Yves Geffrard of Notre Dame Catholic Church in Fort Pierce, Florida, Board Member, Faith in Florida and Faith in Action International:
“The Senate failed to preserve TPS protections for more than 350,000 Haitian nationals, offering a critical lifeline as Haiti continues to confront political instability, widespread violence, and a serious humanitarian emergency. The bill would have offered three years of legal protections to Haitians. It’s deeply saddening that the Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling will stand, allowing the Trump Administration to remove thousands of Haitians from TPS. This decision is deeply flawed and inexcusably provides judicial cover to outrageous behavior by the Administration.
The Senate knew very well the United States government has repeatedly extended Haiti’s TPS designation because the country is in crisis and remains too dangerous to permit safe return. Now, hundreds of thousands of Haitians will lose their legal right to work, causing sudden disruptions across the workforce, particularly in heavily impacted regions like South Florida, Massachusetts, New York and Ohio. Immigrants will be at immediate risk of apprehension and deportation to Haiti, a country currently facing devastating gang violence and political instability. Because many TPS holders have established families and American children, the termination of their status threatens to tear households apart. That’s really sad for the Senate not to restore TPS for Haitians.
Claudette David, Consultant, Faith in Action International
“What we have seen is that immigration bills face major challenges in the U.S. Senate. The business community can help move the needle by speaking out about the economic harm that ending TPS will cause. I encourage business leaders to work with the American Business Immigration Coalition for guidance on how to push the administration. Contact Luis Zaldivar at lzadivar@americanbic.biz.
As the United States continues deporting Haitians to Haiti, we also need to see the State Department’s first annual report required by the Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act. The American people deserve to know what is fueling the violence and instability to which Haitians are being returned.
I thank the hundreds of thousands of people who called and emailed Congress, as well as the members of Congress who helped pass H.R. 1689 and build support in the Senate.
This is why elections matter. If you are eligible to vote, educate yourself about the candidates, attend their campaign events, ask questions, and vote in 2026.”
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