Rep. Cherfilus‑McCormick urges Haitian unity to protect TPS beyond 2026

ORLANDO, Fla. — A federal court ruling blocking the Trump administration’s attempt to cut Haitian TPS early has opened a crucial window for permanent protections, Rep. Sheila Cherfilus‑McCormick (D‑FL) said Monday, urging Haitian American communities to unite.

The decision, issued July 15 by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, preserves TPS benefits through Feb. 3, 2026, reversing a July 1 attempt by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem to terminate the program six months early.

Cherfilus‑McCormick, the first Haitian American Democrat in Congress and co-chair of the House Haiti Caucus, called the ruling “a court victory through unity in the fight, not political goodwill,” crediting advocates, lawyers and Haitian Americans who have mobilized through lawsuits and more than 100 town halls nationwide.

“This reprieve gives us an opportunity for intentional and unified dialogue with the Trump administration to achieve meaningful and long‑term solutions for Haitian immigrants,” Cherfilus-McCormick told The Haitian Times during an interview.

Cherfilus‑McCormick warned that deporting Haitian TPS holders would have global consequences. She also called for a two-pronged approach: protecting Haitian TPS holders in the U.S. while supporting efforts to stabilize Haiti itself.

Economic and real-world impact as legislative paths to permanent status needed

The Florida lawmaker stressed that the stakes extend far beyond immigration paperwork. With more than 500,000 Haitian TPS holders in the U.S.—many working in essential industries like health care, construction and hospitality—the economic ripple effects of deportations would be devastating.

 “People with TPS are in high-need fields right now,” she said, especially in South Florida, where nearly 290,000 TPS holders live. She’s pursuing accountability for those fired wrongfully amid deportation threats and pushing for their immediate reinstatement.

 “We’re exploring bipartisan delegations to Haiti so officials can see firsthand the conditions there,” she said, describing efforts to lift stigma and build consensus.

She noted political obstacles ahead of the February 2026 expiration, including false assessments that Haiti no longer meets TPS criteria. 

“They’re lying about security on the ground in Haiti. That’s 100 percent a lie,” she asserted, pointing to continuing gang violence, U.S. do not travel advisory alert,  flight bans and food insecurity.

“How does the administration label Haiti as controlled by terrorist organizations and then claim it’s now safe for Haitians to go back?” she asked.  

Congresswoman Cherfilus‑McCormick, a vocal advocate for permanent protections, said she’s working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to revive measures like the Dream and Promise Act and standalone TPS legislation.

“If the U.S. persists in deporting our TPS holders, other countries will try to recruit them,” she said bluntly.

“We must recognize that most of these are qualified and hardworking individuals ready to make a positive impact wherever they go.”

Additionally, Cherfilus-McCormick pressed the U.S. administration to collaborate with Haitian authorities and civil society to stabilize Haiti and lay the groundwork for a future in which diaspora talent can return.

“We must be ready with policies to invite back doctors, nurses, educators, engineers, etc., for rebuilding efforts.”

With that in mind and to leverage diaspora economic power for development, Cherfilus-McCormick co-sponsors the African Diaspora Investment and Development Act (AIDA) with Rep. Jonathan J. Jackson (D-IL). The bill, introduced to U.S. lawmakers on July 22, is designed to unlock the economic potential of African and Caribbean diaspora communities. The legislation aims to lower remittance costs, encourage investments and strengthen U.S. foreign policy by aligning it with grassroots economic activity, Cherfilus-McCormick said.            

“Millions of Americans with African and Caribbean heritage send billions of dollars abroad annually to support their families and communities,” she wrote in a statement. “ However, high transfer fees and a lack of investment tools limit their impact. AIDA proposes measures to address these gaps by supporting financial inclusion, fintech solutions and U.S.-backed diaspora-led projects.”

Experts and advocates strongly support AIDA. Susan Edionwe of the Nigerian Physicians Advocacy Group called it “a critical measure” for maximizing the impact of every dollar sent. Eric V. Guichard, founder and CEO of Homestrings, Inc. called AIDA “a paradigm shift in development finance whose time has come.”

Organizations such as the Haiti Renewal Alliance (HRA) and the Constituency for Africa (CFA) commend the bill for formalizing the role of diaspora communities in sustainable development. 

“This bill, if passed, would be a huge step in the right direction,” said CFA President Melvin Foote, especially as U.S. assistance to the region faces cuts.

Message to Haitian American youth and community 

Her message wasn’t only to Washington. With birthright citizenship under threat and xenophobia rising, the Florida Democrat called on young Haitian Americans to mobilize.                                                    

“If you’re not fighting, join the fight, she urged.” The court ruling, she said, is a milestone, but the next steps demand legislative success and community pressure on the administration.                                                                     

“This is not just about Haitian people—it’s about protecting our economy, our national interest,” she continued. “We contribute. We matter. When we speak up, we win.”                                                                                             

What’s next 

Cherfilus‑McCormick is:

•  Convening congressional delegations (bipartisan) to assess plans.    
•  Pressing DHS to fully comply with the TPS ruling and avoid reissuing decisions.
• Amplifying grassroots voices in media, social platforms, town halls and legislation.
• Convening proactive dialogue with the Trump administration.                                                                                             

“This is our moment,” she concluded. “The courts are on our side. Now, everyone must raise their voices together to protect people—permanently.”

Meanwhile, Haiti’s humanitarian crisis continues to deepen. With thousands of forced displacements consistently, the country is experiencing its worst hunger crisis on record—5.7 million people projected to be food insecure, according to the U.N. 

Nearly 5,000 people have been killed across the country between October 2024 and June 2025, according to a U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights report. For many observers, these figures represent only a fraction of the deaths caused by gang violence—considering its extent in the West, Artibonite and Central Plateau regions.

Despite U.N. pleas to halt deportations, the U.S. and Caribbean nations continue returning Haitians to a country in chaos—many to neighborhoods reduced to rubble and makeshift tents.

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