Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz convened a press conference Wednesday in Fort Lauderdale to call for an extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians.
According to organizers, faith leaders, activists, and Haitian TPS holders gathered inside a conference room at Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to amplify the call.
In addition to the press conference, organizers announced a silent march alongside airport workers, urging the administration of President Donald Trump to extend the immigration protection, which is set to expire on Feb. 3.
“I came to Miami years ago from Haiti with my wife and two kids because it was no longer safe to live there. The same situation exists today,” said Kenson, a hospitality worker at FLL.
“Ending TPS will be devastating to so many families. We work extremely hard to welcome travelers arriving in South Florida. We will not stand by and watch our coworkers, friends, and neighbors be treated like animals. We are here to call for a permanent solution and an extension of TPS,” organizers said in a statement.
Activists explained that the demonstration follows an announcement by Rep. Ayanna Pressley, who said she has filed a discharge petition — a legislative tool that could force a House vote on legislation related to TPS.
The event was initially held inside Terminal 4, after which participants planned to continue with a silent candlelight march to the departures level between Terminals 1 and 2.
This story was translated from Spanish with the help of a generative artificial intelligence tool. An NBC 6 editor reviewed the translation.