Republican Congressman Carlos Giménez of Florida has urged the Trump administration to reconsider its plan to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for many Haitian migrants. His comments add to growing debate within the Republican Party over immigration policy and the future of thousands of people living legally in the United States.
The Haitian TPS deportation debate gained attention after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the administration to move forward with ending temporary legal protections for more than 350,000 Haitians. The ruling also affects about 6,000 Syrians who currently hold TPS.
Speaking on Sunday, Giménez said sending Haitian migrants back to their home country would be a serious mistake. He argued that Haiti remains too dangerous for large-scale returns because of ongoing violence and political instability.
“Haiti is a failed state,” Giménez said. He added that deporting Haitians who are protected under TPS would be “a huge mistake.”
Giménez also called for restoring TPS protections for Venezuelans following the powerful earthquakes that struck parts of Venezuela in late June. He said the program exists to protect people who cannot safely return to countries facing conflict, natural disasters, or severe humanitarian crises.
According to Giménez, Temporary Protected Status serves an important humanitarian purpose. It allows eligible foreign nationals already living in the United States to remain and work legally when conditions in their home countries make return unsafe.
The Florida lawmaker represents part of Miami-Dade County, which has one of the largest Haitian American communities in the country. Around 110,000 people of Haitian ancestry live in the area, making immigration issues especially important for many local families and businesses.
Giménez’s own family came to the United States after leaving Cuba when he was a child. Throughout his political career, he has often spoken about immigration from the Caribbean and Latin America.
The Department of Homeland Security recently issued guidance following the Supreme Court decision. The agency said Haitian TPS beneficiaries will keep their legal status and work authorization until lower courts complete the legal process connected to the ruling. That means the protections remain in place for now while additional court actions continue.
Giménez is not the only Republican raising concerns about ending TPS for Haitians.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has also asked the administration to reconsider the policy. He said many Haitian immigrants play an important role in Ohio’s workforce, especially in manufacturing, food production, healthcare, and elder care.
DeWine said removing thousands of workers could create problems for businesses and healthcare providers that already face labor shortages. He also pointed to travel warnings issued by the U.S. government, saying Haiti remains unsafe because of widespread gang violence and instability.
The governor argued that many Haitian migrants have built stable lives in the United States. They work, pay taxes, buy homes, open businesses, and contribute to their local communities. He said forcing them to leave would not benefit either the migrants or the country.
Another Republican expressing concern is Representative Mike Lawler of New York. He warned that ending TPS too quickly could create staffing shortages in hospitals, nursing homes, and services for people with disabilities.
Lawler noted that many Haitian TPS holders work in healthcare, where employers continue to face worker shortages. He said losing those employees could affect patient care and increase pressure on medical facilities.
Giménez has consistently supported extending legal protections for Haitian migrants. Earlier this year, he backed legislation that would keep Haiti designated for Temporary Protected Status through 2029.
At the time, he said Haiti remained under the control of violent gangs and that conditions there made large-scale returns unsafe. He argued that extending TPS was both practical and humane while allowing Haitian residents to continue contributing to American communities.
The proposed legislation, known as HR 1689, passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support. Several Republican lawmakers from South Florida joined Democrats in voting for the bill. It now awaits consideration in the Senate.
The Haitian TPS deportation debate continues as lawmakers, immigration advocates, and local leaders weigh humanitarian concerns against broader immigration policy. While the Supreme Court ruling allows the administration to move forward, the legal process is still ongoing, and TPS protections remain in effect until additional court proceedings are completed. The issue is expected to remain part of the national immigration discussion in the months ahead.
