Trump’s False Rumors Fuel Deportation Fears Among Haitian Residents, Despite Their Role in the Community
In Springfield, Ohio, a city of 60,000 residents, Haitian immigrants are grappling with mounting fear and uncertainty following Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election. Many Haitians, who have been integral to the city’s revitalization, are now leaving for fear of deportation.
Margery Koveleski, who works from a small office behind a Haitian grocery store on South Limestone Street, has spent years helping local Haitians navigate bureaucratic hurdles. But recently, her focus has shifted to assisting them in leaving the city. “People don’t have credit cards or internet access, so we’re helping them buy bus or plane tickets,” Koveleski explained. “They’re scared, and they’re leaving.”
Trump’s Immigration Policies Heighten Concerns
Haitians in Springfield fear that Trump’s return to the presidency could lead to the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS), a program that allows immigrants from countries facing conflict or humanitarian crises to live and work in the U.S. legally. Many Haitians have relied on TPS since a devastating earthquake in 2010. However, Trump has repeatedly promised to end the program, leaving Haitian communities in places like Springfield vulnerable.
Reports of local hostility have only exacerbated fears. In nearby Sidney, Ohio, a sheriff allegedly instructed police to detain Haitian immigrants and “figure out if they’re legal.” This type of rhetoric, combined with Trump’s threats, has led many Haitians to seek refuge in cities like New York, Boston, and even Canada.
The Impact on Springfield’s Haitian Community
Springfield’s Haitian community has been in the spotlight since Trump falsely accused immigrants there of eating pets during a September debate. The claim fueled neo-Nazi marches and false bomb threats in the area, adding to the community’s sense of insecurity.
The city, which had seen economic growth thanks to Haitians taking on jobs in local factories, is now experiencing a decline in business. Koveleski noted that one store owner is considering moving to another city due to plummeting sales.
TPS: A Lifeline Under Threat
TPS, established in 1990, currently protects over 300,000 Haitians in the U.S., granting them legal status until at least February 2026. However, Trump’s earlier attempts to end the program have shown that it could be vulnerable to future policy changes. In 2020, a California court allowed the Trump administration to move forward with plans to end TPS for Haiti and other countries.
Despite these threats, legal experts believe mass deportations are unlikely to happen immediately. Katie Kersh, a senior attorney at Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, explained, “The strain on the immigration court system would be significant, and even if TPS ends, individuals are entitled to a court hearing, which could take months or years.”
Challenges for Haitians Returning Home
For those considering a return to Haiti, the prospects are grim. The Caribbean nation is in the grip of escalating gang violence, and its main airport in Port-au-Prince has been periodically shut down due to gunfire. The dangers of returning, coupled with the loss of legal work authorization in the U.S., leave many Haitians with few viable options.
Ahilan Arulanantham, a UCLA law professor, warned that ending TPS could worsen the issue of undocumented immigration. “When TPS ends, individuals lose their right to work legally, pushing them into undocumented status unless they can find another legal pathway,” he said.
A Community in Limbo
For now, Springfield’s Haitian community remains in limbo, caught between the threat of deportation and the challenges of leaving the U.S. As Koveleski continues to assist families navigating these uncertain times, the exodus serves as a stark reminder of the human impact of shifting immigration policies.
