Rev. Carl Ruby serves as senior pastor of Central Christian Church in Springfield. He founded Springfield Neighbors United and G92, both dedicated to supporting Haitians in Springfield facing deportation.
In a season when immigration debates often generate more fear than clarity, the recent votes by Congressman Mike Turner and Congressman Mike Carey to extend Temporary Protected Status for Haitians deserve recognition.
Their support reflects a path that aligns with the values of communities like Springfield and with the convictions held by most Americans: strong borders, safe neighborhoods and humane treatment of families who have already become part of our towns.
As the pastor of a church in Springfield, where Haitian TPS holders have become an essential part of the congregation and the local workforce, the impact of these decisions is not theoretical.
It is seen in the lives of neighbors, coworkers and fellow worshipers.
The vote to extend TPS was not a vote against border security. It was a vote to protect families who have already been vetted, registered and contributing to the economy for years – families who fled a nation overwhelmed by gang violence, political collapse and humanitarian crisis.
Some public voices have claimed that Haitian TPS holders are a burden or a threat.
The facts tell the real story about Haitians in America
National data shows that over 85% of Haitian TPS holders have no serious criminal record, and the small percentage who do are already subject to removal under existing law.
Among recent deportations, the vast majority have been individuals with no serious criminal convictions – not the “worst of the worst,” whom both parties agree should be removed.
Turner and Carey have consistently supported strong border enforcement and the removal of dangerous individuals. Their votes for TPS extension do not contradict that commitment; they reinforce it.
In Springfield, the contribution of Haitian TPS holders is unmistakable. They work in factories, health care facilities, construction sites and small businesses.
They pay taxes, rent homes, buy groceries and keep local schools open. Many employers in the region say plainly that without Haitian workers, production lines would slow, shifts would go unfilled and local economies would suffer. These families are not draining the community – they are sustaining it.
The majority of Americans hold two convictions at once: that the border must be secure, and that families who are already here, working hard and following the law, should be treated with fairness and dignity.
Where Americans already stand
Turner and Carey’s votes reflect that balanced view. They demonstrate that it is possible to support strong enforcement while also recognizing the humanity and contributions of those who have become part of our communities.
In Springfield, Haitian TPS holders now make up a significant portion of the congregation at Central Christian Church.
Their faith, their work ethic and their commitment to their children have strengthened the church and the city. The threat of mass deportations would not only harm these families – it would destabilize local businesses, weaken congregations and tear at the fabric of a community that has welcomed them.
The votes cast by Rep. Turner and Rep. Carey offer a model for how this country can move forward: firm on security, clear about removing dangerous individuals and compassionate toward families who have already proven their commitment to the United States.
This is not a partisan position. It is a moral and practical one – and it reflects where most Americans already stand.
In a time of division, their leadership points toward a path that honors both the rule of law and the dignity of the people who live among us. It is a path worth following.
Rev. Carl Ruby serves as senior pastor of Central Christian Church in Springfield. He founded Springfield Neighbors United and G92, both dedicated to supporting Haitians in Springfield facing deportation.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Haitians are critical to Springfield. Turner, Carey right to protect them | Opinion
Reporting by Carl Ruby, Guest Columnist / The Columbus Dispatch
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