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A chilling warning has been issued as the Trump administration reportedly prepares to deploy a massive wave of immigration agents to Ohio next week. The target? Thousands of Haitian migrants who are about to lose their Temporary Protected Status (TPS), primarily focusing on the town of Springfield. Holocaust historian Timothy Snyder did not mince words, stating he was “getting the impression that ICE is gearing up for a pogrom in Springfield, Ohio.”
Springfield: A Town Under Siege?
Springfield isn’t just any town; it’s a place where President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance notoriously fabricated the outrageous lie that Haitian immigrants were consuming the pets of white residents. This xenophobic rhetoric, designed to inflame tensions during the 2024 election, unleashed a torrent of racist threats and intimidation upon the community. Now, it appears this manufactured animosity is being weaponized for a federal crackdown.
Earlier this week, the Springfield News-Sun reported that staff at the Springfield City School District were notified about an impending federal immigration enforcement operation. It’s expected to commence shortly after February 3rd, the day Haitian residents’ TPS expires, and last for at least 30 days. Given the history and the escalating brutality observed in recent ICE surges in Minnesota and Maine, the alarm bells are ringing louder than ever.
“Any day now, a swarm of armed state police dressed for war could descend” on the town, wrote columnist Marilou Johanek in the Ohio Capital Journal. “The small town of Springfield in Clark County is awaiting an invasion of unaccountable thugs who conceal their faces and identities, drive in unmarked vehicles with blackened windows, stomp on the Bill of Rights, and viciously brutalize human beings based on race and accent.”
The Looming Expiration of TPS
Approximately 15,000 Haitians in Springfield, among 30,000 in Ohio and over 500,000 nationwide, face the grim reality of losing their TPS protections. This critical status, which grants temporary legal residency to individuals from countries affected by armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary conditions, was abruptly revoked by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) last year. While a decision from US District Court Judge Ana C. Reyes on February 2nd could potentially halt the expiration, the threat remains imminent.
Emily Brown, Ohio State University Moritz College of Law’s Immigration Clinic Director, explained the stark consequences: “they could potentially be arrested, detained, or put in removal proceedings unless they have already applied for some other form of relief.” It’s crucial to understand, as David DeWitt, editor-in-chief at the Ohio Capital Journal, emphasizes, that “Haitians are currently in the United States legally” under TPS. This planned operation, therefore, targets individuals who, until February 3rd, possess legal standing.
The danger is compounded by the fact that these individuals face potential deportation back to Haiti, a nation currently embroiled in a brutal gang war. The United Nations reported over 8,100 deaths between January and November 2025, describing Haiti as “the most dangerous country in the world.” As DeWitt succinctly put it, “Trump is revoking their legal status on February 3, and then, according to reports, immediately sending ICE in to Springfield and Columbus, Ohio, to target them.”
A Community Terrified, But Resilient
The rumors of the impending ICE surge have plunged the Haitian community in Springfield into a state of terror. Viles Dorsainvil, executive director of the Haitian Support Center, conveyed their fear: “The folks are fearful,” Dorsainvil, who came to the United States from Haiti in 2020, said. “They came here just to work and send their kids to school and be here peacefully. All of a sudden, they find themselves in another scenario where they’re not accepted… They are panicked, and the worst thing is that they can’t even plan their lives for three months down the road.”
Pushon Jacques, a 41-year-old TPS holder, shared his personal anguish: “I won’t be able to work, I will not be able to provide for my family. It’s a bad situation to be in.” He reiterated the impossible choice presented by “self-deportation,” stating, “The situation in Haiti—especially the political situation—has made Haiti unlivable… There is no place in Haiti that is safe right now.”
Despite the fear, the Springfield community is rallying. Local reports detail residents preparing for what feels like a siege. Churches are conducting immersive role-playing sessions to train members on how to respond if ICE agents breach their doors, while phone chains have been established to alert vulnerable individuals. The Springfield City Council has even passed a resolution urging federal agents to adhere to local policies regarding identification and mask-wearing, though its enforcement power is limited.
Even Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican, has voiced support for the Haitian community, stating, “I don’t think it’s in our interest in this country for all the Haitians who are working, who are sometimes working two jobs, supporting their family, supporting the economy, I think it’s a mistake to tell these individuals you can no longer work and have to leave the country.”
ACLU Sounds the Alarm: “A Grave Threat”
The ACLU of Ohio is closely monitoring the situation, prepared to act against any unconstitutional actions. J. Bennett Guess, ACLU Ohio executive director, issued a stern warning:
“This despicable surge in lawless ICE officers descending upon Springfield will ignite swells of fear within the Haitian community, terrorize our Black and Brown neighbors, and cause considerable damage to citizens and non-citizens alike.” He continued, “Following the government’s senseless, brutal killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, it is clear that ICE poses a grave threat to all who call Ohio home.”
The ACLU is urging state and local officials to protect the 30,000 Haitians in Central Ohio and calls on the US Congress to reject any DHS budget that empowers “lawless agencies” to endanger communities.
Conclusion
As February 3rd approaches, the fate of thousands of Haitians in Ohio hangs precariously in the balance. What is being described as a “targeted and disgusting operation meant to inflate numbers and inflame tensions” is poised to unleash fear and chaos, tearing families apart and forcing individuals back into life-threatening conditions. The world watches as Springfield braces for an unfolding crisis, a stark reminder of the human cost of politically motivated immigration crackdowns.
Source: Original Article
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