ORLANDO, Fla. \u2013 Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost is pushing for action from lawmakers after the Supreme Court issued a ruling to allow the Trump administration to end legal protections for migrants fleeing violence and natural disasters in Haiti and Syria.<\/p>\n
At a news conference on Friday, Frost, D-Orlando, was joined by members of the Haitian community and called the 6-3 decision devastating for families.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Trump administration is knowingly sending people back to places where they face violence, instability and displacement,\u201d Frost said. \u201cFor many, this is quite literally a matter of life and death.\u201d<\/p>\n
The United States first granted protections to Haitians in 2010 after a catastrophic earthquake and extended them multiple times amid ongoing gang violence.<\/p>\n
With the Supreme Court\u2019s decision affecting around 350,000 Haitian immigrants, Frost said there will be an effect felt across Central Florida.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaitians make up a significant share of healthcare workers, including many caregivers who are looking after our seniors,\u201d Frost said. \u201cThis will shape not just that industry, but the hospitality industry and small businesses.\u201d<\/p>\n
With the possibility of temporary protection status for Haiti and Syria ending July 1, Frost also called on the Senate to approve a bipartisan bill that would extend TPS for Haitians.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will continue to be relentless in pushing to protect TPS and not just for Haiti, but for Syria…and all the countries that have TPS,\u201d Frost said.<\/p>\n
As the temporary protection status of Haitians and Syrians is being called into question, free legal services are being offered for people affected by the Supreme Court ruling.<\/p>\n