10 Republicans vote with Dems to extend TPS for Haitian nationals

A group of Republicans on Thursday voted with Democrats to extend temporary protected status (TPS) to Haitian nationals, shielding those who came into the US under the program from deportation. The move from the handful of Republican lawmakers defied President Donald Trump, who was looking to cease the TPS status of some 350,000 Haitian nationals.

In all, 10 GOP lawmakers in Congress voted with the Democratic House members to approve legislation that would allow Haitians to be eligible for TPS for another three years. The GOP lawmakers included Reps. Mike Lawler and Nicole Malliotakis of New York; Maria Elvira Salazar, Mario Diaz-Balart and Carlos Gimenez of Florida; Don Bacon of Nebraska; Rich McCormick of Georgia; Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania; and Mike Carey and Mike Turner of Ohio.

The TPS program allows foreign nationals whose home country is facing a crisis or natural disasters to temporarily spend time in the US and live without fear of deportation. However, it is not supposed to provide a pathway to citizenship. The vote came down 224 to 204, with the ten Republicans joining the Democrats.

Democrat Rep. Ayanna Pressley had led the effort with the resolution, and said, "This is a monumental victory in a long-fought battle to protect the safety, dignity, and humanity of our Haitian neighbors. Democrats and Republicans alike have come together to support our Haitian neighbors not just because this is good, commonsense policy, but because it is the right, humane thing to do."

Many of the Republicans who voted in favor of extending TPS for Haitian nationals are also in competitive House districts in the upcoming midterm election. In a statement to NPR, the White House said, "The Administration understands members have to vote their districts at times."

"This terrible bill is going nowhere and there has been a veto threat issued. The administration is focused on enforcing federal immigration law and putting American citizens first," the White House spokesman added.

The Trump administration has tried to revoke the TPS program for Haitians, arguing that their country has improved such that they can go back. According to Fox News, Senate Republicans are likely not going to take up the bill for a vote.