Byron Donalds Defends End of Haitian TPS and Says Florida Should Train Its Own Workforce

Florida’s Republican nominee for governor, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, is defending the Trump administration’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians, while saying Florida should focus on training its own workers to fill potential gaps in the workforce.

Donalds discussed the issue Sunday during an interview on CBS’ Face the Nation, where host Margaret Brennan questioned him about the impact of ending TPS on Haitian families and Florida employers.

Brennan noted that roughly 158,000 Haitians had been living legally in Florida under TPS before the program ended. She also pointed to the U.S. State Department’s warning about travel to Haiti, including concerns over crime, kidnapping and limited access to healthcare.

The conversation also focused on Florida’s healthcare workforce. Brennan raised concerns about the number of Haitians working in healthcare across the state and asked Donalds how Florida would replace those workers if they were forced to leave the country.

Donalds defended the end of Haitian TPS, arguing that Temporary Protected Status was never intended to become permanent. He also pointed to the situation in Haiti and said the country’s transitional government is working to strengthen its security forces and regain control of areas affected by armed gangs.

When asked about the potential loss of Haitian workers, Donalds did not outline a specific plan to replace those workers. Instead, he pointed to his proposed Launchpad initiative, which would connect high school juniors and seniors with internships and apprenticeships and help prepare them for jobs after graduation.

Donalds also called for stronger adult education and career-transition programs to help Floridians move into industries where workers are needed, including healthcare.

The issue is especially significant in South Florida, where Haiti’s diaspora has deep roots and where many Haitian families have built their lives under TPS.

With Donalds now preparing for the November gubernatorial election against Democrat David Jolly, his position on Haitian TPS is likely to remain an important issue among Florida’s Haitian-American community.

For Haitian families watching the race, the debate goes beyond immigration policy. It also raises questions about what happens to families who have built lives in Florida, the workers who help keep key industries running and what Florida’s next governor plans to do as the state adjusts to the end of TPS.