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Haitian migrants in Ohio face threats despite court's TPS reprieve

Bomb threats and hate calls plague a city where 25% are Haitian. Now, churches and leaders are preparing for the worst—even as a court ruling buys them time.

,   and  Administrator
2 min read
The image shows a small church with a steeple in the middle of a snowy street, surrounded by houses...
The image shows a small church with a steeple in the middle of a snowy street, surrounded by houses with roofs and windows, a metal fence, some plants, a group of trees, some vehicles on the ground, and a cloudy sky. The church is located at the corner of the street and is covered in snow.

Haitian migrants in Ohio face threats despite court's TPS reprieve

Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, have faced rising threats and uncertainty after the Trump administration moved to end their protected status. The city, where nearly a quarter of the population is Haitian, has seen increased harassment—including bomb threats targeting schools, churches, and community services. A federal judge's recent decision to block the policy has eased some fears, but tensions remain high as local leaders and churches prepare for possible fallout.

The Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for around 350,000 Haitians was set to expire on 3 February, leaving many in Springfield jobless and unable to drive due to expired licences. The looming deadline had forced families into limbo, with some already losing work and struggling to support themselves.

A US judge halted the expiration, citing concerns over Haiti's safety and potential discrimination against nonwhite immigrants. The ruling brought temporary relief, with community leaders like Viles Dorsainvil noting a drop in anxiety among Springfield's Haitian population.

Yet threats have persisted. Last week, local police reported repeated bomb threats against schools, universities, and places of worship—many referencing Haitians. Pastor Carl Ruby of Central Christian Church, a vocal supporter of migrants, received anonymous threats, including calls for his death and baseless conspiracy theories about his motives. Ohio Homeland Security and the FBI have since advised him on safety measures.

Despite the risks, Ruby's church is among a small group in Springfield preparing to offer sanctuary to Haitians if TPS is revoked. Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter from Birmingham Jail, the congregation has stockpiled food, blankets, and supplies. Donations have poured in to support those who may need to go into hiding. The Department of Homeland Security has also reached out to local churches, stressing that all threats to faith-based institutions are being treated seriously.

So far, no other churches in Springfield have publicly committed to providing sanctuary. The focus remains on the federal court's intervention—and what comes next for the city's Haitian community.

The judge's decision has delayed the immediate crisis, but Springfield's Haitians still face an unstable future. With threats ongoing and no wider sanctuary network in place, the city's churches and leaders continue to brace for potential confrontation. For now, the temporary reprieve offers a fragile sense of security in an otherwise volatile situation.

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