HR1689-119

What This Bill Does

This bill mandates Temporary Protected Status for Haiti. Notwithstanding other law, the Secretary of Homeland Security must designate Haiti for TPS until three months after January 20, 2029. TPS generally protects eligible nationals of a designated country from removal and can authorize employment while conditions in the country prevent safe return. The bill therefore removes agency discretion over whether Haiti should remain designated during that period and gives Haitian nationals who meet TPS eligibility rules a longer protection horizon.

Who Benefits and How

Haitian nationals in the United States benefit because TPS designation would protect eligible applicants from removal during the covered period. Haitian families benefit from more stable work authorization and reduced fear of near-term deportation for eligible relatives. Employers of TPS-authorized workers benefit from workforce continuity when Haitian employees can keep work authorization. Immigrant legal service providers benefit from a clear statutory designation date and eligibility period for advising applicants.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Department of Homeland Security staff must administer Haiti's TPS designation through the statutory period. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services must process registration, renewal, and employment authorization requests. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removal officers face limits on removing eligible Haitian TPS holders. Opponents of extended humanitarian immigration protections bear policy costs because agency discretion is replaced by a congressional mandate.

Key Provisions

• Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for temporary protected status.
• Extends the required designation until three months after January 20, 2029.
• Protects eligible Haitian nationals through the TPS framework rather than a country-specific visa program.
• Limits DHS discretion to end Haiti's TPS before the statutory date.