Press ReleaseBipartisan2026-04-14

Wasserman Schultz, Pressley, Markey, Van Hollen Lead Over 180 Democrats in Supreme Court Amicus Brief to Defend Temporary Protected Status

ImmigrationForeign PolicyIsrael

Context

This press release from Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) was published on 2026-04-14 and titled "Wasserman Schultz, Pressley, Markey, Van Hollen Lead Over 180 Democrats in Supreme Court Amicus Brief to Defend Temporar". It focuses on immigration and touches on foreign policy, Israel.

Full Text

Wasserman Schultz, Pressley, Markey, Van Hollen Lead Over 180 Democrats in Supreme Court Amicus Brief to Defend Temporary Protected Status

Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Rep. Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Sen. Edward Markey , and Sen. Chris Van Hollen led 26 Senators and 157 Representatives in filing an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court in Miot v. Trump , a consolidated case challenging the Trump administration’s unlawful termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti and Syria. This case also has significant implications for 1.3 million TPS holders of several nationalities across the country. “Haiti is overrun by criminal gangs, who kidnap women and girls, extort residents for protection money, and kill with impunity. We must preserve their TPS and protect their lives and safety,” said Wasserman Schultz . “As a descendent of immigrants who fled repression and antisemitism, I'll always fight for law-abiding immigrant families who fled desperate circumstances and who work hard, pay taxes, pass criminal background checks, and contribute to our economy and communities.” “Our Haitian neighbors are dedicated parents, workers, caregivers, faith leaders, business owners, and children who strengthen our communities and are essential to our economy,” said Pressley . “Trump's attempts to end Temporary Protected Status for Haiti, Venezuela, Syria, and other nations in crisis is cruel, unlawful, and life-threatening for families across the country, which is why we’re using every tool available to push back. The Supreme Court must uphold the law and preserve these essential, life-saving protections for our neighbors.” “The humanitarian crisis in Haiti is dire and worsening, and Haitian TPS holders are unable to return home safely,” said Markey . “As Donald Trump unlawfully strips this community of critical legal protections, we must protect the individuals who came to our country seeking safe harbor. We must also protect all TPS holders, who are deeply rooted in Massachusetts and in communities across the country—they are our friends, our family members, our neighbors, and our colleagues. We must not turn our backs on them now.” “For thousands of Haitians and Syrians – many of whom have been living and working here legally for years after fleeing for their safety—being forced to leave the United States would put their lives and their livelihoods at grave risk. The Administration is asking the Supreme Court to disregard that danger, while also rubber-stamping the Administration’s effort to ignore Congressional intent around the TPS program as a whole—so they can terminate countries’ designations across the board to advance their mass deportation agenda. As this brief makes clear, the Supreme Court must stop this lawless Administration from carrying out politically motivated TPS cancellations—which will force countless people back to countries where it is unsafe to return,” said Van Hollen . The full Amicus Brief can be found here . In the brief, lawmakers urge the Court to preserve TPS protections, emphasizing the bipartisan support for TPS and the immense public interest served by TPS holders in Florida and across the United States. The brief also highlights how the TPS statute was intended to provide safe haven to protect those who are fleeing violence abroad. Wasserman Schultz is a lead sponsor of the bipartisan Venezuela TPS Act of 2025 and has led several previous amicus briefs in support of Venezuelan and Haitian TPS recipients. She has also signed discharge petitions to force a vote on restoring TPS for Venezuelans and for Haitians, the latter of which, led by Rep. Pressley, secured the requisite 218 signatures to bring it to the House floor. In the House, in addition to Wasserman Schultz and Pressley, the Amicus Brief was signed by: Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY), Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA), Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (CA), Democratic Caucus Vice Chair Ted W. Lieu (CA), Assistant Democratic Leader Joe Neguse (CO), Angie Craig (MN), Mark DeSaulnier (CA), Robert Garcia (CA), Jared Huffman (CA), James P. McGovern (MA), Gregory W. Meeks (NY), Joseph D. Morelle (NY), Richard Neal (MA), Frank Pallone Jr. (NJ), Jamie Raskin (MD), Adam Smith (WA), Bennie G. Thompson (MS), Nydia M Velazquez (NY), Maxine Waters (CA), Yvette D. Clarke (NY), Adriano Espaillat (NY), Grace Meng (NY), Gabe Amo (RI), Yassamin Ansari (AZ), Jake Auchincloss (MA), Becca Balint (VT), Nanette Barragán (CA), Joyce Beatty (OH), Wesley Bell (MO), Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (VA), Suzanne Bonamici (OR), Shontel M. Brown (OH), Julia Brownley (CA), Janelle Bynum (OR), André Carson (IN), Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA), Sean Casten (IL), Kathy Castor (FL), Joaquin Castro (TX), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL), Judy Chu (CA), Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. (CA), Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO), Herb Conaway Jr. (NJ), Joe Courtney (CT), Jasmine Crockett (TX), Jason Crow (CO), Danny Davis (IL), Diana DeGette (CO), Suzan DelBene (WA), Christopher Deluzio (PA), Maxine Dexter (OR), Debbie Dingell (MI), Lloyd Doggett (TX), Sarah Elfreth (MD), Veronica Escobar

View original source →

Wasserman Schultz, Pressley, Markey, Van Hollen Lead Over 180 Democrats in Supreme Court Amicus Brief to Defend Temporary Protected Status Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Rep. Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Sen. Edward Markey , and Sen. Chris Van Hollen led 26 Senators and 157 Representatives in filing an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court in Miot v. Trump , a consolidated case challenging the Trump administration’s unlawful termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti and Syria. This case also has significant implications for 1.3 million TPS holders of several nationalities across the country. “Haiti is overrun by criminal gangs, who kidnap women and girls, extort residents for protection money, and kill with impunity. We must preserve their TPS and protect their lives and safety,” said Wasserman Schultz . “As a descendent of immigrants who fled repression and antisemitism, I'll always fight for law-abiding immigrant families who fled desperate circumstances and who work hard, pay taxes, pass criminal background checks, and contribute to our economy and communities.” “Our Haitian neighbors are dedicated parents, workers, caregivers, faith leaders, business owners, and children who strengthen our communities and are essential to our economy,” said Pressley . “Trump's attempts to end Temporary Protected Status for Haiti, Venezuela, Syria, and other nations in crisis is cruel, unlawful, and life-threatening for families across the country, which is why we’re using every tool available to push back. The Supreme Court must uphold the law and preserve these essential, life-saving protections for our neighbors.” “The humanitarian crisis in Haiti is dire and worsening, and Haitian TPS holders are unable to return home safely,” said Markey . “As Donald Trump unlawfully strips this community of critical legal protections, we must protect the individuals who came to our country seeking safe harbor. We must also protect all TPS holders, who are deeply rooted in Massachusetts and in communities across the country—they are our friends, our family members, our neighbors, and our colleagues. We must not turn our backs on them now.” “For thousands of Haitians and Syrians – many of whom have been living and working here legally for years after fleeing for their safety—being forced to leave the United States would put their lives and their livelihoods at grave risk. The Administration is asking the Supreme Court to disregard that danger, while also rubber-stamping the Administration’s effort to ignore Congressional intent around the TPS program as a whole—so they can terminate countries’ designations across the board to advance their mass deportation agenda. As this brief makes clear, the Supreme Court must stop this lawless Administration from carrying out politically motivated TPS cancellations—which will force countless people back to countries where it is unsafe to return,” said Van Hollen . The full Amicus Brief can be found here . In the brief, lawmakers urge the Court to preserve TPS protections, emphasizing the bipartisan support for TPS and the immense public interest served by TPS holders in Florida and across the United States. The brief also highlights how the TPS statute was intended to provide safe haven to protect those who are fleeing violence abroad. Wasserman Schultz is a lead sponsor of the bipartisan Venezuela TPS Act of 2025 and has led several previous amicus briefs in support of Venezuelan and Haitian TPS recipients. She has also signed discharge petitions to force a vote on restoring TPS for Venezuelans and for Haitians, the latter of which, led by Rep. Pressley, secured the requisite 218 signatures to bring it to the House floor. In the House, in addition to Wasserman Schultz and Pressley, the Amicus Brief was signed by: Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY), Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA), Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (CA), Democratic Caucus Vice Chair Ted W. Lieu (CA), Assistant Democratic Leader Joe Neguse (CO), Angie Craig (MN), Mark DeSaulnier (CA), Robert Garcia (CA), Jared Huffman (CA), James P. McGovern (MA), Gregory W. Meeks (NY), Joseph D. Morelle (NY), Richard Neal (MA), Frank Pallone Jr. (NJ), Jamie Raskin (MD), Adam Smith (WA), Bennie G. Thompson (MS), Nydia M Velazquez (NY), Maxine Waters (CA), Yvette D. Clarke (NY), Adriano Espaillat (NY), Grace Meng (NY), Gabe Amo (RI), Yassamin Ansari (AZ), Jake Auchincloss (MA), Becca Balint (VT), Nanette Barragán (CA), Joyce Beatty (OH), Wesley Bell (MO), Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (VA), Suzanne Bonamici (OR), Shontel M. Brown (OH), Julia Brownley (CA), Janelle Bynum (OR), André Carson (IN), Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA), Sean Casten (IL), Kathy Castor (FL), Joaquin Castro (TX), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL), Judy Chu (CA), Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. (CA), Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO), Herb Conaway Jr. (NJ), Joe Courtney (CT), Jasmine Crockett (TX), Jason Crow (CO), Danny Davis (IL), Diana DeGette (CO), Suzan DelBene (WA), Christopher Deluzio (PA), Maxine Dexter (OR), Debbie Dingell (MI), Lloyd Doggett (TX), Sarah Elfreth (MD), Veronica Escobar