Hundreds of people gathered in the church of St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Springfield to call for an extension of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians on February 2, 2026. (Photo by Megan Henry, Ohio Capital Journal).
The cities of Columbus and Springfield, Ohio, are bracing for the fallout after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday that President Donald Trump can end the legal status for Haitians who have fled violence in their country.
There are approximately 330,000 Haitians and 6,000 Syrians living in the United States. Temporary protected status (TPS) – A program that gives residents of certain countries affected by conflict or natural disasters the opportunity to live and work in the United States for a specified period of time.
About 30,000 Haitians with momentary status live in central Ohio and the British Isles an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 Haitians call Springfield home while having Temporary Protected Status, citizenship, and other legal status.
“Today’s decision is heartbreaking,” Carl Ruby, pastor of Central Christian Church in Springfield, said in a statement.
The US Supreme Court rules that the Trump administration can end legal protections for 350,000 Haitians
“But our calling has not changed. The Scriptures teach us to stand with the vulnerable, speak the truth for our neighbors and not let fear have the last word. Haitian families are part of our community and we will continue to stand alongside them with courage, compassion and conviction.”
Springfield has had a dwindling population for decades as manufacturing jobs have disappeared, but Haitian immigrants have added more than 10,000 workers to Clark County’s workforce.
Springfield has become a flashpoint in the 2024 elections when Trump and JD Vance spread racist lies there about Haitian immigrants.
Haitians were initially granted momentary protected status after the 2010 Haiti earthquake that killed 222,570 people.
The Biden administration extended Temporary Protected Status to Haitians in 2021 following the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse.
Syria was first granted TPS in 2012 and the country continues to experience ongoing armed conflict, terrorist violence, kidnappings, hostage-taking and crime.
Haiti is currently plagued by gang violence and instability, and many are fleeing the petite Caribbean nation for the United States for their lives. Top security official and Chief of Staff of the Minister of National Defense was recently kidnapped.
Many Haitian refugees in America have no homes in Haiti to return to.
The U.S. Department of State currently has a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory. Haiti AND Syria.
Deportation of Haitians in Springfield would eliminate approximately $300 million in Clark County annual expenses, with estimated economic losses exceeding $400 million.
Ohio Immigrant Alliance Executive Director Lynn Tramonte is calling on Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Ohio GOP Senator Bernie Moreno and Ohio GOP Senator Jon Husted to take action.
“Haitians from Ohio cannot be allowed to be deported to a country where they will be killed,” she said in a statement.
“These are our family members, co-workers, friends and neighbors. They are our people now. You can’t sit back and let this happen. You have the power.”
At the federal level, the U.S. House of Representatives voted for an extension in April TPS for Haitians until 2029. The bill is currently in the US Senate, but The White House, announced President Donald Trump he would veto the bill.
The TPS program for Haitians was scheduled to expire on February 3, but U.S. District Court Judge Ana C. Reyes blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians living in the United States.
The Trump administration quickly appealed the decision, and lower courts blocked its efforts to end TPS in Haiti.
This story will be updated.
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