U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is continuing targeted immigration enforcement in Springfield, where a local Haitian organization says at least 29 migrants had been detained as of Friday.
The Haitian Community Help and Support Center told the Ohio Capital Journal that 29 Haitian migrants had been detained by ICE as of Friday. The figure has not been independently confirmed by federal immigration officials.
In a statement provided to Ohio.News, a DHS spokesperson declined to discuss ongoing or future enforcement operations but said federal law enforcement activity is taking place across the country.
“Every day, DHS is conducting law enforcement activities across the country to keep Americans safe,” the spokesperson said. “DHS does not discuss ongoing or future operations.”
DHS also defended the Trump administration’s decision to terminate TPS for Haitians, saying the program had been allowed to extend beyond its intended temporary purpose.
“Temporary Protected Status is exactly that—temporary,” the spokesperson said. “For too long, TPS has been allowed to function as a de facto amnesty program despite Congress never intending it to be permanent.”
The spokesperson also pointed to the administration’s offer of financial assistance and airfare for illegal immigrants who voluntarily leave the United States.
“What we would say now is it’s closing time which means you don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here,” the spokesperson said. “The good news is it’s not too late to get a $2,600 check and a free flight home.”
ICE has described its activity in Springfield as targeted enforcement and previously confirmed that enforcement would continue throughout Ohio.
Springfield Police Chief Allison Elliott has said her department does not have an immigration enforcement agreement with ICE and is not participating in the federal operation.
“We also do not have a 287(g) agreement with ICE, nor are we pursuing one at this time,” Elliott said last week.
The Haitian Community Help and Support Center said agents have made arrests at apartment complexes, shopping plazas and other locations around the city. The organization also said Springfield pastor Gilbert Joubert Adrien was detained Thursday morning at a gas station.
The enforcement follows the expiration of TPS protections that had allowed Haitians to temporarily remain and work legally in the United States.
TPS allows the federal government to temporarily protect foreign nationals from deportation when war, natural disasters or other extraordinary conditions make returning to their countries unsafe. Haiti originally received the designation following the country’s 2010 earthquake.
The U.S. Supreme Court in June reversed a lower court ruling blocking the Trump administration from terminating TPS protections for Haitians, clearing the way for the administration’s policy to take effect.
Losing TPS does not necessarily make an individual immediately subject to deportation. Former TPS recipients with asylum claims or another valid immigration status can remain legally in the country, while those without another authorization can face removal.
Springfield is home to thousands of Haitian migrants with varying immigration statuses, including U.S. citizens and people with other forms of legal status.
