Ohio Dems call for return to TPS status for Haitians

By David Beasley
The Center Square

Ohio Senate Democrats called Monday for the federal government to extend temporary protected status for Haitians in Springfield.

That status is set to expire Tuesday.

“When their legal status is called into question, it creates uncertainty not just for them, but for local businesses, schools and governments trying to plan responsibly,” the Democrats said in an open letter. “These are families that came here years ago seeking a better, safer life. Many have children who were born here in the United States, and many of them have no safe place to return to in Haiti.”

Ending protective status will mean that “overnight, their jobs and livelihoods are threatened,” the letter said.

It calls on Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio’s two U.S. Republican Senators, Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno, to work with the Trump administration extend the temporary protective status.

“Ohio does best when we choose compassionate, practical solutions over disruption,” the letter said. “Allowing people who are already here, contributing and following the law, to continue working would strengthen our communities and keep our local economies on solid footing.”

The senators also wrote that they had reports that the U.S. Immigritation and Customs Enforcement is coming to Springfield to target the Haitians after the temporary protective status expires.

DeWine, Husted and Moreno did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday

Last week, a DeWine spokesman told TCS that the Governor’s Office ”has not received any information, guidance, or confirmation from federal immigration authorities regarding any potential enforcement actions either in Springfield or regarding the end of any TPS status.”

Also, last week on social media, Moreno said the status should end.

“This isn’t hard: Temporary Protected Status was always TEMPORARY. Now it’s time to go home,” Moreno wrote on X.