Haitians in America worry they're Trump's next target

The president falsely accused Haitians in Ohio of eating pets. Now he's trying to deport them.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Hundreds of thousands of Haitians who came to the United States to flee violence and instability in their home country are already preparing to become the next targets of the Trump administration's immigration enforcement sweeps. In Springfield, Ohio, home to an estimated 15,000 Haitians, the community is living in fear that Trump will soon put action to his past insults and racist rhetoric against Haitians.

Why it matters

Haitians in America are especially vulnerable to Trump's deportation efforts as the administration is aggressively trying to strip them of their existing Temporary Protected Status (TPS) protections, leaving them potentially vulnerable to mass removal. This comes as Haiti faces ongoing violence, instability, and a humanitarian crisis, making deportation a 'death sentence' for many.

The details

Reports of imminent ICE raids sparked panic in the Haitian community in Springfield last week, with volunteers holding rapid response trainings and the community making contingency plans for children in case their parents were detained or deported. While a federal court temporarily blocked the administration from ending TPS for Haitians, the ruling is still fragile and the community remains in legal limbo, afraid to leave their homes.

  • On January 27, the local Springfield News-Sun first reported on secondhand rumblings that an ICE operation targeting Haitians could last at least 30 days and begin as early as the first week of February.
  • On February 3, approximately 350,000 Haitians were expected to lose Temporary Protected Status, a legal designation that allows Haitian immigrants to live and work in the US.

The players

Guerline Jozef

Executive director of the national nonprofit Haitian Bridge Alliance, who has been preparing for this day since the presidential campaign and the racist rhetoric that came with it.

Viles Dorsainvil

Director of the Haitian Support Center in Springfield, who said the Haitian community has lived in constant fear since after the presidential debate.

Marjory Wentworth

An American volunteer with the G92 leadership team who serves on the board of the Haitian Support Center, helping to create a rapid response network to keep immigrant neighbors safe.

Rob Rue

The mayor of Springfield, who said the court ruling 'provides clarity and stability for families who are already part of our community.'

Mike DeWine

The Republican governor of Ohio, who called removing TPS for Haitians a mistake and said the Ohio State Highway Patrol would be ready to support local police in case of a surge in immigration agents.

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What they’re saying

“Deportation to Haiti is a death sentence right now.”

— Guerline Jozef, Haitian Bridge Alliance executive director (Vox)

“I am recommending a full travel ban on every damn country that's been flooding our nation with killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies. … WE DON'T WANT THEM. NOT ONE.”

— Kristi Noem, Homeland Security Secretary (Vox)

“You cannot plan for the future as an immigrant here, because you don't know when things can happen to you. You just live day by day.”

— Viles Dorsainvil, Director of the Haitian Support Center in Springfield (Vox)

What’s next

The judge's ruling blocking the administration from ending TPS for Haitians is still fragile, and the Department of Homeland Security has already stated it disagrees with the decision and is determining next steps, likely including an appeal.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing fear and uncertainty faced by Haitian immigrants in America, who remain vulnerable to deportation despite bipartisan support, due to a lack of clear legal pathways to permanent status. The community's struggle underscores the human toll of the Trump administration's hardline immigration policies and the need for comprehensive immigration reform.