Ayanna Pressley joins Haitian students in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Democratic Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley took part in the Massachusetts Haitian Student Unity Forum, a gathering of Haitian students held on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury, a Boston neighbourhood.

The forum is organised by the Massachusetts Haitian Student Union (MAHSU), a coalition of Haitian student associations from several campuses across the state. According to its website, it has five founding chapters: Northeastern University's Haitian Student Unity (HSU), listed as co-founder and host, UMass Dartmouth's Haitian American Student Association, Boston College's L'Association Haïtienne, Salem State University's Haitian Cultural Club and UMass Boston's Haitian Student Association.

Photos published by MAHSU show Ayanna Pressley among the participants, as well as singer Rutshelle Guillaume. The programme included a panel, a certificate presentation, a dance performance by young dancers and a dinner.

"Our Haitian neighbors are carrying so much"

In a post on her X account on Monday, October 26, the congresswoman wrote: "Our Haitian neighbors are carrying so much right now, & Haitian students are no exception. Grateful to have joined them this month for the Mass. Haitian Student Unity Forum. Convenings like these are essential to informing our work to build a more just, equitable MA & country."

Pressley, whose district is home to a large Haitian community, leads the fight in Congress to keep Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians, which the Trump administration has terminated. According to her office, her bill to extend TPS passed the House of Representatives in April 2026 by 224 votes to 204 and awaits a Senate vote. On September 3, she paid tribute on the House floor to Pierre Damas Bel, a 20-year-old Haitian student and TPS holder who died by suicide.

The Instagram account sakpase.official highlighted the congresswoman's attendance at the forum on Wednesday, October 28.