Haitian immigrants flee Springfield, Ohio after Trump’s election win

Haitian immigrants are leaving Springfield, Ohio, over fears of mass deportation following Trump’s election victory.

Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, are leaving the city in large numbers following Donald Trump’s November 5 presidential election victory. Trump has vowed to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which allows many Haitians to live and work legally in the U.S. Margery Koveleski, a community advocate, told The Guardian, “People are leaving. Some don’t have credit cards or internet access, so we help them book flights.”

The exodus has sparked concerns about its impact on Springfield’s economy. Jacob Payen, co-founder of the Haitian Community Alliance, noted, “If these people leave, that money is gone from the city and the local economy.” Payen added that some families have relocated to cities like New Jersey, Boston, or Canada, while others consider returning to South America.

Trump’s earlier claims about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, including false accusations during a September debate, have contributed to tensions. Reports of discriminatory remarks by local authorities, such as a sheriff in Sidney allegedly urging arrests of Haitian immigrants, have further fueled fears. Payen stated, “People are fully aware of the election result, and that is why they are leaving; they are afraid of a mass deportation.”

Legal experts, however, suggest that immediate deportations are unlikely. Katie Kersh of Advocates for Basic Legal Equality emphasized, “The strain any deportation effort would place on an already stretched immigration court system would be significant.” Ahilan Arulanantham from UCLA’s School of Law explained that losing TPS could push more people into undocumented status.

Springfield’s Haitian community has played a crucial role in revitalizing local industries and neighborhoods, making their departure a significant loss for the city.