Our communities can’t keep living in immigration limbo

Five months ago, I wrote in the Miami Herald that Congress needed to stop governing temporary protected status through temporary extensions, executive actions and courtroom battles. Since then, the Supreme Court has weighed in, the legal landscape has shifted once again, and one thing has become even clearer: Our immigration system is still being governed by uncertainty instead of legislation.

As a Florida state representative, I represent one of the most diverse districts in America. Immigration policy is not just a political debate where I live. It affects families trying to plan for tomorrow, employers trying to keep their businesses running, schools serving children, churches serving their communities and local governments trying to respond to changing federal policies.

Whether someone agrees or disagrees with the Supreme Court’s decision is almost beside the point. The larger problem remains exactly where it has always been. Congress has failed to provide a lasting legislative solution.

That failure has consequences.

Every time a temporary protected status designation approaches expiration, families wonder whether they will be allowed to keep working. Employers wonder whether valued employees will suddenly lose work authorization. State and local governments prepare for another round of uncertainty while lawsuits race through the courts.

This is no way to govern.

Temporary protected status exists for an important humanitarian reason. It protects people from being returned........

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