TPS Uncertainty Leaves Ohio Haitians in Limbo as Springfield Support Center Mobilizes

Haitian immigrants in Ohio face growing uncertainty as Temporary Protected Status ends for beneficiaries, according to a report by WYSO published July 9, 2026, and carried by WOSU. At the Haitian Support Center in Springfield, administrative assistant James Fleurjean assists residents seeking answers about their immigration status. In one case, Fleurjean called a Department of Homeland Security hotline for an update on a Springfield resident who holds TPS and had pursued both asylum and TPS cases. WYSO reported the man asked that his name be withheld because he fears being targeted by ICE and deported. The outlet reported a Florida judge closed his asylum case in 2024, though Fleurjean said the asylum application may be reconsidered. According to the report, there are an estimated 50,000 Haitian immigrants across Ohio, with an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 living in Springfield, many under TPS. Some residents are turning to the Haitian Support Center to weigh their options, including seeking help from immigration attorneys for asylum applications that would allow them to remain in the United States. WOSU noted the situation remains developing. Details beyond the single WYSO account could not be independently verified.