Golden votes to extend protection from deportation for Haitians

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today voted to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Haitian nationals until January 2029.

Golden released the following statement: 

“Allowing TPS to expire would put lives at risk and create even greater instability in Haiti, threatening the security of the United States. Multiple administrations from both parties, as well as international bodies, have recognized the dangerous situation on the ground in Haiti, where armed gangs and drug traffickers effectively control most of the country. A mass deportation would effectively force Haitian immigrants with Temporary Protected Status to join these criminal organizations or be put in their crosshairs. It’s not an exaggeration to say that for many, it could be a death sentence. That’s just not who we are.” 

TPS designation was extended to Haiti in 2010 after the deadliest earthquake in the history of the Western hemisphere, which killed hundreds of thousands and displaced more than 1 million Haitians. Since then, crises have continued to rock the island nation. 

Last year, Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a “Do Not Travel” advisory due to kidnapping, crime, terrorist activity, civil unrest and limited health care. 

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