US House approves bill to shield 350,000 Haitians from deportations

Key Points:

• The US House of Representatives approved legislation to protect 350,000 Haitians from deportation for three years, with a 224-204 vote including 11 Republicans joining Democrats to pass the bill continuing Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians.
• TPS was originally granted after the 2010 Haiti earthquake and extended by subsequent administrations, but was canceled by Trump last year; a federal judge blocked the termination and the Supreme Court is set to hear arguments soon.
• The vote faced opposition from House Republican leaders but was forced by a discharge petition led by Democrat Ayanna Pressley, who emphasized the contributions of Haitian TPS holders to US communities.
• Some Republicans supporting the bill cited the dangerous conditions in Haiti and the importance of Haitians in the US workforce, especially in healthcare, while opponents criticized the extended duration of TPS and cited criminal cases involving some Haitians.
• Democrats hope the House vote will influence the Supreme Court to uphold TPS protections, highlighting the ongoing unsafe conditions in Haiti and the humanitarian need to maintain the designation.