To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for temporary protected status.

Bill Number: H.R. 1689
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: International Affairs
Status: Passed House
Latest Action: 2026-04-21: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 374.
Last Updated: 2026-07-10T08:06:27Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This legislation, H.R. 1689, mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Haiti. TPS is a temporary form of legal immigration status for people from countries facing dangerous conditions (like violence or disasters) that make it unsafe to return home, allowing eligible nationals to live and work legally in the U.S. for a set period.

Key Provisions

Mandatory Designation: The Secretary of Homeland Security must designate Haiti for TPS, overriding any conflicting laws.
Duration: TPS applies until 3 months after January 20, 2029 (approximately April 20, 2029).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Normally, TPS designations are at the discretion of the Secretary of Homeland Security under the Immigration Act of 1990. This bill removes that discretion for Haiti, making the designation automatic and non-optional.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), part of Homeland Security, must process TPS applications from Haitians already in the U.S., increasing workload and costs.
Citizens and Immigrants: Eligible Haitians in the U.S. (those present by a certain date) can apply for work authorization and protection from deportation during the TPS period.
International Relations: Signals U.S. support for Haiti amid its ongoing crises (e.g., gang violence, instability), potentially aiding humanitarian efforts but straining U.S. immigration resources.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Haitian Nationals in the U.S.: Primary beneficiaries, gaining temporary legal protections.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Required to implement and administer the program.
U.S. Taxpayers: Bear costs of processing and enforcement changes.
Haitian Government and Diaspora: Indirectly supported through protected status for nationals abroad.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Uses "notwithstanding any other provision of law" to compel executive action, which could face court challenges if seen as infringing on administrative discretion, though Congress has authority over immigration.
Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's broad immigration powers under Article I, but mandates executive implementation without funding details.
Political: Highlights partisan debates on immigration relief; passed House in 2026, pending Senate action, amid Haiti's crises.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4]

Cosponsors (8)

Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22]

Recent Actions

2026-04-21: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 374.
2026-04-20: Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
2026-04-17: Received in the Senate.
2026-04-16: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2026-04-16: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 224 - 204 (Roll no. 120). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2940) (Roll call 120)
2026-04-16: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 224 - 204 (Roll no. 120). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2940) (Roll call 120)
2026-04-16: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
2026-04-16: DEBATE - The House resumed debate on H.R. 1689.
2026-04-16: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 1689.
2026-04-16: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 965. (consideration: CR H2940-2947)
2025-02-27: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
2025-02-27: Introduced in House
2025-02-27: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

An Act To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for temporary protected status. — issued 2026-04-16 — PDF (4 pages)
To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for temporary protected status. — issued 2025-02-27 — PDF (1 pages)
An Act To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for temporary protected status. — issued 2026-04-21 — PDF (4 pages)