Florida Republican urges reversal of TPS termination for Haitians, calling it a 'huge mistake'
Congressman Carlos Giménez broke with the Trump administration, arguing that deporting 350,000 Haitians to a failed state would be a grave error, joining other Republicans like Mike DeWine and Mike Lawler in opposing the end of temporary protected status.
Republican Congressman Carlos Giménez of Florida on Sunday called on the White House to reconsider its push to eliminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian migrants, calling it a “huge mistake” to send some 350,000 people back to Haiti, which he described as a failed state.
“Haiti is a failed state, and I think that deporting Haitians that are under TPS right now, back to Haiti, would be a huge mistake,” Giménez told CBS News. He also urged the reinstatement of TPS for Venezuelans after twin earthquakes struck north-central Venezuela on June 24.
Giménez, who fled Cuba as a child and represents part of Miami-Dade County—home to about 110,000 residents of Haitian ancestry—said TPS is meant to protect people fleeing failed states or countries that cannot handle them, such as Venezuela after the natural disaster.
The Supreme Court recently ruled that the Trump administration can proceed with ending TPS for over 350,000 Haitians and about 6,000 Syrians. However, the Department of Homeland Security issued guidance last week stating that TPS Haiti beneficiaries will keep their status and work authorization until lower courts align with the Supreme Court’s decision.
Giménez’s stance aligns with that of Ohio Republican Governor Mike DeWine, who last week urged reconsideration of the TPS termination. DeWine noted that Haitians in Ohio work in manufacturing, food services, and care for the elderly, including those with Alzheimer’s. “To say we’re going to pull all those people out, it’s just not in our own self-interest,” he told CNN.
New York Republican Congressman Mike Lawler, who represents a swing district, also opposes ending TPS for Haitians. He said one-third of Haitian TPS holders work in healthcare, and abruptly ending the program would create a crisis in hospitals and nursing homes.
Giménez previously backed a bill requiring the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for TPS until 2029. The bill, HR 1689, passed the House 224–204 with support from South Florida lawmakers, including Republicans and Democrats, and now awaits Senate consideration.
