GARDEN CITY, NY - Today, Congresswoman Laura Gillen (D-NY-04) and Congressman Mike Lawler (R-NY-17) sent a letterto Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, urging her to extend temporary protected status (TPS) for Haitian nationals through February 3, 2027.

"Our districts in New York are proud to be home to some of the largest Haitian American populations in the country, and our Haitian neighbors have made significant contributions to our communities," said the lawmakers. "Haitian TPS holders in our districts work as essential healthcare workers, educators, small business owners, construction workers and service industry professionals. A TPS extension for Haitians would provide critical stability for thousands of families across New York and prevent harmful workforce disruptions. That is why we introduced bipartisan legislation last year to extend TPS protections for Haitians through February 3, 2027."

Rep. Gillen's urgent push follows her year-long fight to protect TPS for law-abiding Haitian nationals. Nassau County is home to one of the largest Haitian communities in the country, and many face certain life-threatening dangerif they are sent back to Haiti.

The full letter can be found HEREand below:

Dear Secretary Noem:

We write to urge you to extend temporary protected status (TPS) for Haitian nationals through February 3, 2027. These protections offer a safe, legal pathway for Haitian asylum seekers escaping humanitarian crisis to live in and contribute to our communities. We urge you to prevent hardworking, legal Haitian immigrants from being sent back to certain danger.

As you know, the situation in Haiti is volatile and declining. Between January and May of last year, 2,680 people have been killed, and 1.3 million Haitians have been displaced from their homes due to ongoing gang violence. There is widespread recognition that the ongoing unrest in Haiti is extreme and demands a response.

Since 2010, TPS has served as a vital humanitarian tool for Haitian nationals fleeing violence and environmental disaster. The designation has repeatedly been extended due to bipartisan recognition that the situation in Haiti remains volatile. TPS holders are rigorously vetted, pay fees for work authorization, contribute to the U.S. economy through taxes and live as law-abiding members of their communities.

Our districts in New York are proud to be home to some of the largest Haitian American populations in the country, and our Haitian neighbors have made significant contributions to our communities. Haitian TPS holders in our districts work as essential healthcare workers, educators, small business owners, construction workers and service industry professionals. A TPS extension for Haitians would provide critical stability for thousands of families across New York and prevent harmful workforce disruptions. That is why we introduced bipartisan legislation last year to extend TPS protections for Haitians through February 3, 2027.

We urge you to grant this extension and provide certainty to our Haitian neighbors and our communities. Thank you for your attention to this matter and we look forward to your response.