Ohio Governor Defends Haitian Migrants, Calls Trump's TPS Revocation 'Wrong'

DeWine says Haitian migrants are 'working, supporting their family' and 'filling jobs' in Ohio.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican, has again defended Haitian migrants in his state, criticizing the Trump administration's attempts to revoke temporary protected status (TPS) for Haitians. DeWine told CBS News that the policy to revoke TPS is 'wrong' and that Haitian migrants are 'working' and 'supporting their family' while 'filling jobs' that employers were unable to fill otherwise.

Why it matters

The debate over TPS for Haitian migrants is a politically charged issue, with the Trump administration seeking to end the program while some state and local leaders, like DeWine, argue that the migrants are contributing to the economy and should be allowed to remain. The legal challenge to the administration's TPS revocation order is ongoing.

The details

DeWine noted that 'once you get beyond' removing violent offenders, 'I don't think there's a consensus for taking people who are working, who are supporting their family,' including Haitian migrants in his state, specifically in Springfield, Ohio. He said these migrants were 'filling jobs that were not being able to be filled in any other way' and that revoking their TPS would mean 'no employer can hire them anymore'.

  • Earlier this month, a U.S. District Judge implemented a stay on the Homeland Security Secretary's order halting TPS for Haitians, which was scheduled to go into effect on Feb. 3.
  • On Wednesday, the judge granted the administration an extension on responding to an amended complaint filed by Haitian TPS holders until the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals rules on the stay.

The players

Mike DeWine

The Republican governor of Ohio who has defended Haitian migrants in his state, arguing that the Trump administration's policy to revoke their temporary protected status (TPS) is 'wrong'.

Kristi Noem

The Homeland Security Secretary who issued the order halting TPS for Haitians, which was stayed by a U.S. District Judge earlier this month.

Ana Reyes

The U.S. District Judge who implemented a stay on the Homeland Security Secretary's order halting TPS for Haitians, and later granted the administration an extension on responding to an amended complaint filed by Haitian TPS holders.

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What they’re saying

“I think the policy to revoke that is wrong. I think there's a consensus in this country. As we all have said, let's get rid of the violent offenders. Get them out of here.”

— Mike DeWine, Governor of Ohio (CBS News)

“These are people who, if you talk to the employers, they were filling jobs that were not being able to be filled in any other way. So it's been a big boost to the economy. So if one day they know that TPS is taken away, no employer can hire them anymore.”

— Mike DeWine, Governor of Ohio (CBS News)

What’s next

Once the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals rules on the stay implemented by the U.S. District Judge, the administration will have five business days to respond to the amended complaint filed by the Haitian TPS holders.

The takeaway

The debate over TPS for Haitian migrants highlights the ongoing political tensions around immigration policy, with some state and local leaders arguing that the migrants are contributing to the economy and should be allowed to remain, while the Trump administration seeks to revoke their protected status. The legal challenge to the administration's TPS revocation order is ongoing.