Haitian Community in Ohio Faces Uncertainty Amid Political Changes
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In a small office in Springfield, Ohio, Margery Koveleski has spent years assisting Haitian immigrants with navigating bureaucratic hurdles, from booking travel to managing daily needs.
However, in the aftermath of Donald Trump’s recent presidential election victory, Koveleski has observed a stark shift: many Haitians are seeking help to leave the city altogether.
“People are afraid of being deported,” she shared, adding that her office has seen an uptick in requests to purchase bus or plane tickets.
This fear stems from Trump’s promises to terminate the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program, which allows many Haitians to legally live and work in the U.S. TPS has been a lifeline for thousands of Haitians who fled political instability and violence in their home country.
Around 300,000 Haitians currently benefit from the program, which extends their authorization to remain in the U.S. until early 2026.
Community Leaders Witness an Exodus
Jacob Payen, co-founder of the Haitian Community Alliance, reports that numerous Haitian families in Springfield have already relocated to states like New Jersey and Massachusetts, while others have headed to Canada.
For those remaining, fear of deportation is driving some to seek anonymity in larger cities or even consider returning to South America, where they previously had asylum.
Springfield’s Haitian community has been a vital part of the local economy, taking up jobs in factories and rejuvenating neighborhoods. Payen warns that their departure could have lasting economic consequences. “If these people leave, that money is gone from the city and the local economy,” he stated.
Springfield’s Struggles and Political Tensions
The city’s Haitian population has faced heightened scrutiny in recent months. False claims by Trump during a presidential debate about Haitian immigrants in Springfield eating pets have fueled tension. Neo-Nazi marches and bomb threats further compounded the community’s sense of vulnerability.
Meanwhile, Haiti continues to experience extreme violence from politically connected gangs. The escalating crisis has led to frequent airport closures and disruptions to air travel.
Despite this, the Haitian diaspora faces uncertainty, as legal experts predict that any move to end TPS will encounter logistical delays due to the overburdened U.S. immigration court system.
A Complicated Relationship with U.S. Politics
Many Haitian immigrants remain skeptical of both major U.S. political parties. Some blame Democratic leaders, including Bill and Hillary Clinton, for corruption following Haiti’s devastating 2010 earthquake. This disillusionment has led some to believe that Trump’s policies might provide relief, despite his anti-immigration stance.
Koveleski reflects on the complexity of the situation. “They don’t have faith in the Democratic Party,” she said. “Some believe that if Donald Trump says, ‘leave Haiti alone,’ he might actually mean it.”
The uncertainty surrounding TPS, combined with local tensions and Haiti’s ongoing turmoil, leaves Springfield’s Haitian community at a crossroads, balancing hope for stability with fears of upheaval.