Maxwell Frost: “today I rise in support of extending temporary protective status for Haitian nationals living in the United States. I am…”

“today I rise in support of extending temporary protective status for Haitian nationals living in the United States. I am proud to represent Orlando, Florida, where one of the largest populations of Haitians live in the country. They are facing a humanitarian disaster and crisis, and we are facing a clear humanitarian and policy problem. Haiti remains in the midst of a severe crisis, unlike anything we can find in the entire world. While hundreds of thousands of Haitian nationals live in the United States, Haiti remains in severe crisis and a horrible humanitarian situation. Hundreds of thousands of Haitian nationals in the United States are living and working under temporary protective status, and now that is at risk. Conditions in Haiti are not safe to return. Armed groups control parts of the country. Access to food, medical care, and basic security remains deeply unstable. Deporting or forcing families to return under these conditions would be dangerous and unjust. At the same time, Haitian TPS holders are fully integrated into our communities and societies. They are working, raising families, and contributing to our economy and neighborhoods every day. The question before us is whether we allow this uncertainty and instability to continue or whether we will act. That is where this discharge petition comes in.”