Hundreds Rally in Miami Urging Congress to Protect Haiti TPS
Advocates, faith leaders and community members gathered at the Little Haiti Cultural Center to push for Senate Bill 4814 as protections face expiration.
MIAMI — Hundreds of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, immigrant advocates, faith leaders, labor organizations and community members gathered Thursday evening at the Little Haiti Cultural Center in Miami to urge Congress to pass legislation providing permanent legal protections for Haitian TPS recipients, The Haitian Times reported.
The rally, organized by Avanse Ansanm, was part of a nationwide day of action held one day before many TPS holders were scheduled to lose their work authorization under the Trump administration's policy changes. Demonstrators called on lawmakers to support Senate Bill 4814, which would provide permanent protections and a pathway to citizenship for eligible TPS holders.
"We're trying to get everyone to vote yes on Senate Bill 4814," said Santra Denis, president and founder of Avanse Ansanm, urging attendees to pressure their senators.
The demonstration followed a U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing the administration to proceed with ending TPS for Haitians and Syrians. Advocates say the ruling places roughly 350,000 TPS holders at risk. Roughly 158,000 Haitians in Florida held TPS protections.
"The quality of life in Haiti is not good for the children," said Wedly Mesidor, a Miami-Dade schools candidate with family on TPS. Speakers stressed that recipients work across hospitals, hotels, restaurants and other industries.