Rep. Gillen Statement on Securing Discharge Petition Vote for Her Bipartisan Bill Extending TPS for Haitians

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY - Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04) released a statement after securing the needed bipartisan support on a discharge petition that will force a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on herlegislation extending TPS for Haitians for three years.

"I'm proud that my bill to extend TPS for Haitian Americans now has the bipartisan support needed to force a vote on this dire issue in Congress," said Rep. Gillen. "Thank you to my colleagues, Representatives Lawler and Pressley, for their efforts to advance this legislation. Since taking office, I have fought tirelessly to extend TPS for Haitian recipients after the Administration refused to do so. Bringing this bill to a vote is an important milestone to protect the lives of our Haitian friends and neighbors across the country. TPS has safeguarded law-abiding, hardworking, taxpaying members of our communities who came to the U.S. seeking safety. I will continue to lead this fight on their behalf while they face a frightening possibility of being forced to return to Haiti."

Once a discharge petition garners the necessary 218 signatures in the House, it becomes eligible to be called up after seven legislative days. Following this period, a member may notify the House of their intent to call up the motion, at which point the Speaker is required to facilitate a floor vote within two legislative days.

Since taking office, Rep. Gillen has been a leading advocate in Congress for safeguarding TPS for Haitians. In February 2025, she introduced a bipartisan bill directing the Department of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for TPS for 18 months beginning August 3, 2025. In June, following the Administration's abrupt decision to terminate critical humanitarian parole for Haitian citizens, Rep. Gillen urgedDepartment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to reinstate the program. In September, she helped passa bill to crack down on criminal gangs and corrupt officials who are fueling the crisis in Haiti. Later that month, she signed onto an amicus brief challenging the Administration's unlawful termination of Haiti's TPS designation.

In January 2026, Rep. Gillen joined a bipartisan letter to the Administration urging an extension of TPS for Haitian nationals before the February 3rd expiration. She later celebrated the federal court decision preserving TPS for Haitians the day before its expiration. She also held multiple meetings with White House officials to advocate for continued protections for Haitian families residing lawfully in the United States.

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