Mayor Calls on Congress to Extend TPS for Haitian Community Members

Mayor Brown Calls on Congress to Extend Temporary Protected Status for Haitian Community Members

Erin Hut, Communications Director, [email protected]

Monday, February 2, 2026 at 4:10 p.m.

As the February 3 deadline looms, Mayor Lisa Brown is calling on Congress to take immediate action to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals, including approximately 500 individuals who live and work in the Spokane community.

"Temporary Protected Status is more than just a policy. It is a lifeline to people escaping humanitarian crises, natural disasters, and political instability," Mayor Brown said. "Haitians came to Spokane after the 2010 earthquake and to escape political violence. Stripping away their protections would create unnecessary hardship for them and our entire community."

TPS is a government protection that allows non-citizens to live and work in the U.S. if their home country is unsafe due to circumstances like armed violence or natural disasters.

"As Mayor, I see firsthand how Haitian children with TPS are thriving in our schools and how their parents and family members are contributing to our local economy. They show up every day, helping to make our city stronger," Mayor Brown said. "The Trump Administration has this one wrong. With Haiti facing extreme violence and political instability, forcing them to return now would put lives at serious risk. These families deserve a clear, secure path forward and Congress must find a resolution now."

A letter from Mayor Brown to Spokane's Congressional delegation is attached.

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