Haiti TPS: Laura Gillen counts on the new Democratic majority to pass her bill

New York Democratic Rep. Laura Gillen says her fight to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians "will gain even more momentum" with a Democratic majority in Congress, two days after her party won control of the House in the midterm elections, she said. In a post on X on Thursday, November 5, 2026, quoted by PJ Media, she said she has stood by the Haitian community and looks forward to working with her "new colleagues" to pass her bill.

Gillen, who represents New York's 4th District on Long Island, has been one of the most vocal supporters of Haitian TPS in Congress. Her bill would require the Homeland Security secretary to designate Haiti for TPS until April 2029. The House passed it in April 2026 by 224 to 204 after a discharge petition backed by a handful of Republicans. A companion bill was introduced in the Senate in June but has not received a vote.

Protection lost in June

The Trump administration ended TPS for Haiti. On June 25, 2026, the Supreme Court sided with the administration 6-3 and lifted the lower-court orders blocking the termination. Gillen condemned the ruling, saying it put Haitians at risk of being forced back to violence.

Even with a Democratic majority, the bill would still have to pass the Senate and survive a likely veto by President Donald Trump, which would take a two-thirds vote in both chambers to override.