More Springfield Haitians Detained as ICE Encounters Spike

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — The Haitian community in Springfield faced a rapidly developing immigration enforcement operation Thursday afternoon, with residents reporting that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents stopped and detained family members, The Haitian Times reported.

Two community leaders, Mia Perez and Vilès Dorsainvil, confirmed ICE officers were in the town Thursday. Perez, founder of Voices of Immigrants, said ICE had "picked up more than 30 people at their homes." Dorsainvil, executive director of the Haitian Support Center, said residents — including his younger brother — were stopped and asked for proof of lawful status. He said at least one person was detained in a parking lot while arriving from work, and one couple from a local church was also detained.

The Haitian Times said it had not independently verified accounts of door-to-door checks, and that ICE and the Department of Homeland Security had not responded. The reports follow the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians, with some ordered to report to federal offices and released under electronic monitoring.

Leaders warned of an acute mental health crisis; Perez reported three suicides and other attempts. At Rose Goute Restaurant, an employee said no customers had come in, adding: "Everyone's scared." The Dayton Daily News also reported some Springfield Haitians in ICE custody.