WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-7), Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-4), Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (NY-9), Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17), and advocates from across the country in support of the bipartisan legislation to extend Temporary Protected Status for Haitian immigrants. Below is a transcript of her remarks:

"We are one step closer to protecting Haitian communities with Temporary Protected Status.

"Right now, Haiti is in the grips of a humanitarian crisis. One that grows more violently unstable by the day.

"Instead of answering the call of compassion for those in search of safe harbor, Donald Trump is risking the lives of over 350,000 Haitian TPS holders — 45,000 of whom live in Massachusetts — sending them back into the chaos that they legally fled and turning his back on a community in need.

"And for what? The advancement of a twisted, anti-immigrant agenda.

"Since the start of this administration, we’ve witnessed one attack after another on law-abiding immigrants. We’ve watched families be torn apart. And we have felt that ripple of fear throughout our communities.

"We are not talking about some abstract policy here. We’re talking about our neighbors. In Massachusetts and across the country, Haitian TPS holders are parents. They are most definitely caregivers. They're small business owners, health care providers, construction workers. They are the essential threads in the fabric of our communities. And they deserve far better than the cruelty they have been handed.

"The legislation that my colleagues have championed provides us an opportunity to not only save lives but to grow opportunity and grow our economy. I urge every Member of the House to join us today and stand and vote in support of this bill, and hand our neighbors the protections they deserve."

To view photos of the event, click HERE. To watch the full press conference, click HERE.

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