A bill to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for temporary protected status.
- Bill Number
- S. 4814
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-17: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-06T22:33:30Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to grant temporary protected status (TPS) to Haiti. TPS is a program that allows eligible nationals of designated countries to remain in the United States and obtain work authorization when conditions in their home country make safe return unsafe.
Key Provisions
- The bill directs the Secretary to designate Haiti for TPS.
- The designation must last until three months after January 20, 2029.
- The requirement applies “notwithstanding any other provision of law,” overriding normal procedures for TPS decisions.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Current law gives the Secretary of Homeland Security discretion to decide whether to designate a country for TPS based on conditions such as armed conflict or natural disasters. This bill removes that discretion for Haiti and mandates the designation for a fixed period ending in 2029.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: The Department of Homeland Security must implement the designation, including processing applications and issuing work permits.
- On citizens and residents: Haitian nationals currently in the United States or who qualify under the designation would gain temporary legal status and employment authorization.
- On international relations: The action could affect U.S. diplomatic engagement with Haiti by extending protection to its nationals for several years.
Main Stakeholders
- Haitian nationals in or seeking entry to the United States.
- The Department of Homeland Security and its agencies responsible for immigration processing.
- U.S. employers who may hire individuals with TPS work authorization.
- Congress members who sponsored or supported the bill.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill represents direct congressional action to set immigration policy for a specific country, limiting executive branch discretion in an area traditionally managed by the executive. The fixed end date tied to January 20, 2029, creates a predetermined timeline independent of ongoing conditions in Haiti.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (19)
Sen. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE], Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY], Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA], Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ], Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE], Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD], Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ], Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD], Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA], Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT], Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA], Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME], Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL], Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY], Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI], Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI], Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI], Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-17: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-06-17: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for temporary protected status. — issued 2026-06-17 — PDF (2 pages)