A dramatic split opened inside the Republican Party on Wednesday after several House Republicans broke ranks with President Donald J. Trump and GOP leadership to help Democrats move forward with legislation benefiting thousands of Haitian nationals currently living in the United States.
The vote immediately sparked backlash from conservatives who have demanded stronger immigration enforcement and tighter controls on programs they believe have been abused for years.
At the center of the fight was a bill introduced by Rep. Ayanna Pressley that would restore and extend Temporary Protected Status, commonly known as TPS, for Haitian migrants for another three years.
The proposal advanced after supporters used a rarely successful procedural tactic known as a discharge petition, allowing lawmakers to force the legislation onto the House floor without approval from Republican leadership.
That maneuver succeeded in a narrow 219-209 vote, stunning many on Capitol Hill and exposing cracks within the GOP conference.
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