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Haitian immigrants could keep work rights under TPS
The proposal would tie Haiti to a federal protection that pauses deportations for eligible people and can also open the door to work authorization. Lawmakers listed 19 Senate sponsors on the measure.
Haitian immigrants living in the United States could gain a legal shield from deportation if a federal Senate bill becomes law. The measure would require the Department of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, the program that can let eligible people stay and work in the country while the designation lasts.
The bill was read twice and referred to the Judiciary Committee on June 17.
What TPS would change
TPS is temporary, not permanent immigration status. But for families already here, it can be the difference between keeping a job, paying rent and waiting for the next government decision with a little less fear.
The bill has 19 Senate sponsors. The group includes Edward J. Markey, Lisa Blunt Rochester, Charles Schumer, Elizabeth Warren, Andy Kim, Christopher Coons, Chris Van Hollen, Cory Booker, Angela Alsobrooks, Raphael Warnock, Peter Welch, Patty Murray, Angus King, Tammy Duckworth, Kirsten Gillibrand, Jack Reed, Sheldon Whitehouse, Mazie Hirono and Michael Bennet.