Haitians in Springfield, nationwide, allowed to stay
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A view of Springfield, Ohio. Photo: Luke Sharrett/Getty Images
A federal judge ruled Monday night that more than 500,000 Haitian refugees living under temporary residency in the U.S., including thousands in Springfield, Ohio, can remain and continue working in the country — for now.
Why it matters: Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which provides short-term refuge to people fleeing crisis, was set to expire for Haitian immigrants Tuesday.
- The city had been on edge in anticipation of an immigration enforcement surge before the ruling.
- City officials had begun taking concrete steps ahead of the expiration, including asking federal immigration agents to follow local rules on identification and against masking.
State of play: Haitians living in the U.S. under TPS will maintain work authorization and protection from deportation, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes wrote in Monday's order.
- The stay preserves the same benefits for people with pending TPS applications.
By the numbers: Between 12,000 and 15,000 Haitians live in Springfield — a city of about 60,000 — with a mix of TPS and other legal statuses.
- About 1,300 children of Haitian parents have been born in Springfield since 2021, and local officials estimate roughly 20% of Springfield City Schools students are Haitian or Haitian American.
What they're saying: Although the "11th hour reprieve" is welcome, Ohio Immigrant Alliance executive director Lynn Tramonte said in a statement that Haitians deserve "a permanent home."
- "People can't live their lives like this, pegging their families' futures to a court case."
What we're watching: "Supreme Court, here we come," DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Axios in an email Monday evening. "Temporary means temporary and the final word will not be from an activist judge legislating from the bench."
- The White House referred Axios' request for comment to DHS.
On the ground: Haitian families opted to "lay low," Signal Ohio reported before the ruling, avoiding work, school and public spaces. Some have left the region altogether.
- Haitians are living in "constant fear," Viles Dorsainvil, executive director of the Haitian Community Help & Support Center, told Signal Ohio.
- Hundreds gathered in Springfield Monday to support Haitian immigrants.
Between the lines: Gov. Mike DeWine recently said revoking Haitians' protected immigration status would be "a mistake" and had acknowledged state officials were preparing for a potential 30-day enforcement window.
- Springfield city commissioners passed a resolution last week urging ICE agents to wear identification and avoid masks during enforcement actions, the Springfield News-Sun reported.
- Springfield City Schools and county social service organizations had planned for worst-case scenarios, including children returning home to detained parents.
- Faith-based groups and charities had organized food delivery networks, emergency child care hubs and legal education sessions.