Monday evening, our Haitian neighbors across Nassau County received joyous news, just a day before their Temporary Protected Status was set to expire. A federal court ruled in the 11th hour to preserve TPS, and in so doing extended a lifeline to keep them safe from being forced to return to the tragedy and violence ravaging their home country.
I was proud to join an amicus brief filed in this case to advocate overturning the Trump administration’s cruel decision to end TPS for over 350,000 Haitians legally residing in the United States and Nassau County. Monday’s court order followed over a year of advocacy from my office and work with our Haitian community in Nassau to demand an extension from the Department of Homeland Security and the president.
While it is heartening, and offers temporary relief, it is important to note that the order is not permanent. The administration must now do what’s right, immediately extend TPS and end this perpetual uncertainty for Haitian recipients who were fully vetted before being granted this status.
This basic protection has safeguarded law-abiding, hardworking, taxpaying members of our community who came to the U.S. after thorough background checks. They came here because they face a truly frightening situation if they are forced to return to Haiti. After a devastating earthquake in 2010, many had to escape the disaster-struck island. Then, after the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, many more fled the political upheaval and violent gangs in Haiti. The country is suffering from an ongoing humanitarian crisis that cannot be denied.
More than 1.4 million innocent civilians, half of them children, have been forced from their homes. Families are terrorized, schools are closed and entire communities are living in fear. And yet corrupt government officials refuse to act.
I’ve spoken with many Haitian families who desperately want to see peace return to their home country. But the safety and economic security they need to rebuild their lives are far from guaranteed.
Haitians who have come here through TPS have strengthened our economy and become an integral part of our workforce. They contribute nearly $6 billion a year to the U.S. economy and over $1.5 billion each year in federal, state and local taxes. They work in critical sectors like health care, education and caregiving, supporting our elderly and local hospitals. Many have built thriving local businesses and enriched our faith communities. Removing these individuals would not only lead to a humanitarian catastrophe; it would also remove billions of dollars from our economy and tax revenue, while leaving essential jobs vacant.
Thousands of Haitians live on Long Island, and Nassau County is proud home to one of the largest Haitian communities in the country. That’s why, shortly after taking office, I introduced a bipartisan bill to extend Haitian TPS protections for 18 months beginning Aug. 3, 2025.
Last week I demanded that the Department of Homeland Security extend protective status for Haitians before the Feb. 3 expiration date. I stood with leaders in Nassau County’s Haitian community to add to their voices about the threats their community faces without that status.
I’m proud to have helped build a bipartisan coalition in Congress to shine a light on Haitians’ many contributions, and the horrific reality they would endure if they were forced to return to their home country. Along with my colleagues, I held multiple meetings with White House officials on this issue. I have continuously urged DHS to extend TPS for Haitians, introduced legislation to do so and helped pass a bill to help crack down on criminal gangs and corrupt officials fueling the crisis in Haiti.
Above all, I have stood shoulder to shoulder with members of our Haitian community in Nassau County. I have heard their stories, helped amplify their voices and remain committed to defending their well-being and their place in the fabric of this community.
And until stability and security return to Haiti, I won’t stop fighting on behalf of our Haitian friends and neighbors while their lives are at stake.
Laura Gillen represents the 4th Congressional District.
