Approximately 500,000 Haitians currently residing in the United States under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) are set to lose their legal authorization to stay on February 3, a decision originally issued by the Trump administration. Among them are over 10,000 individuals living in western Ohio, particularly around Springfield, where many are actively employed in local industries. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has voiced growing concern that their departure could trigger significant economic disruption in the region. n nThe Department of Homeland Security, under Secretary Kristi Noem, justified the termination by stating that Haiti no longer satisfies the legal criteria for TPS due to improved conditions. However, a federal judge temporarily halted the revocation in September following a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and allied organizations. Despite this legal pause, uncertainty remains about the long-term status of these residents. n nDeWine, who has maintained a personal connection to Haiti through a school he established in Port-au-Prince in memory of his daughter Becky, emphasized that he has not received clear guidance from federal authorities regarding next steps. He continues to engage with local leaders, including Springfield Mayor Rob Rue and Clark County officials, to assess potential impacts. n nHighlighting their contributions, DeWine noted that local employers consistently report strong work ethics among Haitian employees. “They emphasize reliability, punctuality, and a willingness to take on extra shifts,” he said. “There are certainly adjustments related to language and cultural integration, but these workers show up, perform well, and meet workplace standards, including passing drug screenings.” n nThe governor warned that removing this workforce could leave numerous positions unfilled, disrupting local businesses and services. He stressed that many of these individuals are supporting families, some of whom include U.S. citizen children. “Losing this segment of the workforce isn’t just a policy issue—it’s a real threat to community stability and economic vitality,” DeWine stated. n nWhile DeWine previously challenged false and racially charged claims made during the 2024 campaign—such as the baseless assertion that Haitians in Springfield were consuming pets—he also confirmed he would still support Donald Trump in the upcoming election.
— news from The Statehouse News Bureau
— News Original —
DeWine concerned about economic impact as Haitians in western Ohio lose TPS status
The legal status for around half a million Haitians living in the U.S. will end Feb. 3, at the order of the Trump administration. That includes more than 10,000 Haitians living in western Ohio, many of whom are working in and near Springfield. If that happens, Ohio’s Republican governor is warning about a possible economic crisis in that area. n nIn March, the Trump administration said it would revoke the temporary protected status for hundreds of thousands who came to the U.S. to escape violence in Haiti. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Haiti no longer meets the statutory requirements for TPS, so the status ends on Feb. 3. A federal judge blocked Trump ‘s order to revoke TPS status for Haitians in September at the request of the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups. n nGov. Mike DeWine, whose support of Haitians has included a school he set up in Port-au-Prince named for his late daughter Becky, said he hasn’t heard from the federal government on what the plans are for those Haitians. He said he ‘ll continue to talk with Springfield mayor Rob Rue, the Clark County commissioners and other people in the community. n n”The facts are things individuals are contributing to economy of the local community,” DeWine told reporters last week. “When you talk to business men and women who are employing them, what they tell me has not changed. It continues to be, ‘we need them to work. They are reliable. Yes, there are language challenges. Yes, there are cultural challenges. But they show up. They work, they want overtime, they ‘re reliable and they pass drug tests. ‘” n nDeWine said he ‘s concerned about what will happen to the overall Springfield area as well. n n”You ‘re going to have a lot of unfilled jobs. You ‘re going to have whatever the consequences is of 10,000 or who knows how many—no one knows really—people who are no longer being able to be employed,” DeWine said. “They want to work. Many of them are raising families. Some of them have children who are citizens. So, yeah, this is not a good situation.” n nDeWine pushed back on Trump’s false and racist claims about Haitians eating pets in Springfield in last year’s campaign, but also said he would vote for Trump.