Lawmakers on Capitol Hill faced a sharp divide Thursday during a floor debate over H.R. 1689, a bill designed to mandate that the Secretary of Homeland Security designate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) led the opposition to the measure, framing the legislation as part of a broader Democratic strategy to dismantle federal immigration enforcement.
Jordan argued that the bill is a move to “make temporary permanent,” claiming that the current administration’s policies have allowed millions of undocumented immigrants to enter the country.
He criticized the combination of high entry numbers, sanctuary city policies, and efforts to “defund ICE,” asserting that these factors create a system where removal of individuals becomes nearly impossible.
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During his remarks, Jordan cited a recent violent incident in Fort Myers, Florida, involving a Haitian national to highlight his concerns over public safety.
“Two weeks ago, a Haitian illegal alien violently killed an innocent mother by repeatedly hitting her with a hammer outside a gas station,” Jordan said. He noted that the individual involved was in the country under TPS, using the case to argue against expanding or codifying the status. RELATED: Florida Mom Murdered With Hammer By Illegal Immigrant, Trump Warns Of “Border Bloodbath”
The Ohio representative further suggested that the push for the bill aligns with a goal for a “borderless hemisphere,” a concept he attributed to past Democratic statements.
Jordan concluded his floor time by urging his colleagues to vote against the bill, stating, “That’s their plan. That’s why this bill is wrong.”
The debate continues as the House considers the future of the 300,000 individuals currently under the protected designation.
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