Greetings,

Haitians in Springfield, Ohio, stand to lose their legal status and, thereafter, work permits, depending on the ruling this week in Federal Court. This will affect Springfield and cities around the country that have benefited from the vibrant culture and work ethic of Haitians. They have filled job shortages, helped grow stagnating economies, planted churches, and served in their new American communities. Springfield specifically has benefited from a population turnaround, saved by the addition of newly resettled families who pay taxes. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is concerned about the impending economic crisis in Springfield, where jobs are going unfilled. Ohio’s shrinking population will not be bolstered by Haitian immigrants anymore. Federal Judge Reyes questioned DHS lawyers this week about whether they had considered conditions in Haiti as they removed protective status.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS), created under President George H.W. Bush, will end for Haitians on February 3rd as ordered by the Trump Administration. Haitians are not the only ones to have their TPS terminated, as this lifeline of a legal status has also been cancelled for migrants from places such as South Sudan and Venezuela. As the legal battle continues regarding TPS, it leaves communities uncertain about their legal status and future. TPS was created to protect people already in the United States from being forced to return to countries experiencing extraordinary crisis.

Many factors that cause emigration, like natural disasters, are tricky because their impacts are not temporary; rather, they can be longstanding. This is a challenge for those with TPS, as people who come to the United States may plan to return home, but they may not know when they can. Now we are seeing longstanding communities who have established roots in the US, built businesses, and raised American children, lose their status and work authorization, becoming vulnerable to arrest and deportation. There has not been a pathway for people to gain permanent residence or citizenship through TPS, which only Congress and immigration reform can provide. The Trump Administration argues that TPS was meant to be temporary and removed the legal status and work permits of 1.5 million immigrants in 2025. Objections have included both the economic impact on the loss of these workers as well as safety for Haitians. The Trump Administration has reissued a travel advisory of level 4 for Haiti "Do Not Travel". If we discourage Americans from travelling to Haiti, how can we, in good conscience, send our Haitian neighbors back to a potentially dangerous situation?

Meanwhile, there is advocacy across the country and in Springfield by pastors, churches, and community leaders for Haitians to be allowed to stay, contribute, keep their families safe, and feel they belong. Please consider contacting your members of Congress to ask for an extension of legal status for Haitians, Venezuelans, and others who do not have a safe situation to return home to.

Stay committed and hopeful,

Christy

Springfield Needs Haitians