Ohio Gov. DeWine Opposes Trump Plan to End TPS for Haitian Immigrants

DeWine warns the policy could hurt Ohio's economy by removing workers filling critical jobs

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Ohio Governor Mike DeWine criticized President Donald Trump's attempt to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for thousands of Haitian immigrants, calling the policy 'wrong' and warning it could hurt Ohio's economy. DeWine argued that Haitian immigrants have strengthened local communities and filled jobs amid labor shortages, especially in the city of Springfield.

Why it matters

The debate over TPS for Haitian immigrants has become a focal point of immigration policy in Ohio, with the state being home to tens of thousands of Haitian residents. DeWine's opposition to ending TPS highlights the economic benefits these immigrants provide to local communities and businesses that are struggling to fill open positions.

The details

In a recent interview on CBS News' 'Face the Nation,' DeWine defended Haitians living and working legally in Ohio, arguing that they have strengthened local communities and filled jobs amid labor shortages. DeWine noted that the economic uptick in Springfield was tied, in part, to Haitian workers who filled jobs that employers could not staff otherwise, and that ending TPS would leave those workers unemployed and businesses without labor.

  • On Feb. 22, DeWine criticized Trump's attempt to end TPS for Haitian immigrants in an interview on 'Face the Nation'.
  • Earlier in February, a federal judge had blocked the government's motion to terminate Temporary Protected Status for Haitians that was originally set to terminate.

The players

Mike DeWine

The governor of Ohio who opposes ending Temporary Protected Status for Haitian immigrants, arguing it would hurt the state's economy.

Donald Trump

The former president who attempted to end Temporary Protected Status for thousands of Haitian immigrants.

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What they’re saying

“I think the policy to revoke that is wrong ... I don't think there's a consensus for taking people who are working, who are supporting their family, and we've kind of seen it, almost in a micro way, with the Haitian community that's come into Springfield.”

— Mike DeWine, Ohio Governor (CBS News)

“[W]e need them in Ohio. We're a state that as far as our influx of people coming into the state last year, 70% of those individuals were foreign born. They're giving us vibrancy and helping us and the fact that they're working creates other jobs frankly.”

— Mike DeWine, Ohio Governor (CBS News)

What’s next

A federal judge had previously blocked the government's motion to terminate Temporary Protected Status for Haitians, so the policy's future remains uncertain as the legal battle continues.

The takeaway

DeWine's opposition to ending TPS for Haitian immigrants highlights the important economic role these workers play in Ohio communities, especially in filling critical labor shortages. The debate over immigration policy continues to be a divisive issue, with DeWine arguing that ending TPS would hurt the state's economy.