Gov. Mike DeWine said a U.S. Supreme Court decision to end legal protections for Haitian immigrants will hurt Ohio and the country.
The Supreme Court ruled June 25 that the Trump administration can end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians and Syrians while litigation continues. The humanitarian program allows people from dangerous or unstable countries to temporarily live and work in the United States.
The ruling could uproot the lives of thousands of Haitians in Springfield and other parts of Ohio. Haitian TPS holders will now be unable to work and could face deportation.
DeWine said removing Haitians from the United States is a mistake.
“As a result of today’s ruling, the over 10,000 Haitians who have been living in Ohio (mostly in the Springfield area) legally through TPS will now be here illegally and will be subject to immediate deportation,” DeWine said. “This also means that while these Haitians were working and contributing to our community and economy yesterday, today it is now illegal employ them.”
DeWine’s comments set him apart from other Republicans who contend TPS has been misused. Sen. Bernie Moreno applauded the court ruling, posting on X that “TEMPORARY protective status is temporary.”
Sen. Jon Husted did not indicate whether he agrees with the Supreme Court but said he “support(s) the rule of law and complying with the law.”
“My hope is that there can be an orderly and thoughtful process to enforce this order,” Husted said.
DeWine has long been at odds with the Trump administration and its allies on TPS for Haitians.
In 2024, he blasted false claims amplified by President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance that Haitian immigrants were eating people’s pets. DeWine founded a school in Haiti with First Lady Fran DeWine and believes Haitians are a boon for the Springfield community.
He also noted that Haiti remains dangerous. The U.S. Department of State advises Americans not to travel there “due to the risk of crime, terrorism, kidnapping, unrest and limited health care.”
“The situation in Haiti could hardly be much worse,” DeWine said. “The violent gangs run most of the country. The government barely functions. And the economy is in shambles.”
State government reporter Haley BeMiller can be reached at hbemiller@usatodayco.com or @haleybemiller on X.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Gov. Mike DeWine calls it a mistake to end TPS for Haitians in Ohio
Reporting by Haley BeMiller, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Haley BeMiller, Columbus Dispatch | USA TODAY Network
