Springfield, Ohio — Federal immigration agents have begun detaining Haitians in Springfield following the end of Temporary Protected Status for hundreds of thousands of Haitian immigrants, with local advocates reporting at least 29 arrests as of Friday.
The enforcement follows a June Supreme Court decision allowing the Trump administration to terminate TPS for Haitians. Their protections formally expired July 27, leaving many people who had previously been authorized to live and work in the United States vulnerable to deportation.
Springfield is home to roughly 15,000 Haitians with a range of immigration statuses, including U.S. citizenship, TPS and other legal categories. Local advocates say ICE agents have detained people at shopping centers, apartment complexes and other public locations. Pastor Gilbert Joubert Adrien was among those detained Thursday.
Community organizations say the arrests have created widespread fear. Some Haitians are avoiding stores and public spaces, while others have been ordered to report to ICE offices and wear ankle monitors.
Mayor Rob Rue said Springfield does not control federal immigration enforcement and that ICE has indicated operations will continue across Ohio.
The situation is complicated by conditions in Haiti, where the State Department maintains its highest-level “Do Not Travel” advisory because of violent crime, kidnappings, terrorism and limited healthcare. The United States began larger-scale deportation flights to Haiti last week following the termination of TPS.
Sources
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