Springfield’s Haitian Community Faces Uncertainty Amid TPS Program Challenges

In Springfield and in other cities around the country, Haitian communities are grappling with growing uncertainty as the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for Haiti faces potential termination.

For context, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may designate a foreign country for TPS due to conditions there, such as “ongoing armed conflict (such as civil war), an environmental disaster (such as earthquake or hurricane), or an epidemic or other extraordinary and temporary conditions.” 

During a designated period, protected individuals are not removable from the United States, may obtain an employment authorization document (EAD), and may be granted travel authorization.

Former DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano initially designated Haiti for TPS in January 2010, following a 7.0-magnitude earthquake. In 2011, Haiti’s designation was extended, and the country was also redesignated for TPS at the same time. Haiti’s designation has since been extended and challenged several times, due to conditions like political instability, gang violence, and economic collapse.

For many, like Viles Dorsainvil, TPS has been a lifeline, allowing him to live and work legally in the United States. Dorsainvil is a leader in the Haitian community and president of the Haitian Community Help and Support Center. He immigrated to the United States in December 2020 and has dedicated himself to supporting fellow Haitian community members in Springfield. He works full-time leading the Center while also pursuing a dual master’s degree in International Comparative Politics and Public Administration at Wright State University.

“I’m trying to help my community while also preparing myself to make a bigger impact,” he says.

His work includes organizing educational programs, mental health training, and cultural activities to help Haitian immigrants integrate into American society while preserving their heritage.

However, despite his best efforts, he faces the threat of not being able to stay in the United States. In July 2025, DHS announced the termination of the designation of Haiti for TPS, effective on September 2, 2025. Per DHS, Haiti no longer continues to meet the conditions for designation for TPS. As a result, “nationals of Haiti (and aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Haiti) who have been granted TPS under Haiti’s designation will no longer have TPS.”

With the program’s expiration now postponed to February 2026, anxiety and confusion have only deepened in Springfield.

“The sentiment now is confusion,” says Dorsainvil. “People do not know what will happen. Many are already without jobs or employment, and they’re just hanging around, waiting to see what the future holds.”

According to Dorsainvil, the situation in Haiti remains dire, despite what the Trump Administration has argued.

“Gangsters control over 85% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and the international airport has been shut down for over nine months,” he says. “People are living in camps without access to clean water. Haiti is not an option for folks to return to.”

Karli Gibson, an attorney from the nonprofit law firm Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE), works closely with Haitian immigrants in Springfield. She echoed Dorsainvil’s concerns.

“There’s a growing sense of fear and stress because the legal pathways for status are dwindling,” she says. “The administration has cut humanitarian parole programs early and terminated work authorizations tied to those programs. For many, this is the first time they’ve experienced not being able to work legally, and if TPS ends in February, it’s going to become an even bigger issue.”

Gibson also highlighted the challenges of navigating constantly changing immigration policies.

“When many Haitians arrived in the United States, there were more options that allowed them to live and work here legally,” Gibson says. “Now, many have lost their work authorization, which has significantly impacted their ability to maintain their living conditions. It’s a big stressor in the community.”

The potential loss of TPS protections could have far-reaching implications for Springfield’s economy and community. John Brown, Park National Bank’s Western Ohio regional president, highlighted the potential economic risks of a mass exodus.

“What does a mass exodus do to our economy, housing, and employers? Several larger employers rely on this population, and their absence would create a significant employment problem,” he explains.

Haitian immigrants have become an integral part of Springfield’s workforce, according to Brown, filling jobs that were previously vacant and contributing to the local economy through taxes and consumer spending. However, the exact economic impact of their presence is difficult to quantify.

“We know they’re spending money in our community, but no one tracks sales tax or housing impact specifically for this population,” Brown notes.

The uncertainty surrounding TPS has also created challenges for employers.

“There’s a lot of confusion about work authorization,” Gibson says. “Some employers are unsure who they can continue to employ, and there’s a risk of unfair terminations based on misunderstandings about immigration status.”

Despite the challenges, Springfield’s Haitian community has found support through local organizations and advocacy groups, like the Haitian Community Help and Support Center.

“We’re investing in young people through education and community programs,” Dorsainvil says. “We want to help them keep their identity while finding their potential in this new culture.”

Faith-based and advocacy groups like Springfield Neighbors United and the coalition of faith-based groups, Springfield G92, have also stepped up to support the Haitian population. These organizations work to address immediate needs, such as housing and legal assistance, while advocating for long-term solutions.

However, the road ahead remains uncertain. 

“Our hope is that TPS will be renewed,” Dorsainvil says. “That would give Haitians more time to settle down and figure out their next steps. But we don’t have much faith that it will happen.”

Advocates like Dorsainvil emphasize the importance of public support and awareness right now. Concerned citizens can invest in education and community programs or write to legislators to advocate for TPS renewal.

In the meantime, the Haitian community in Springfield is in a holding pattern, uncertain about their collective futures.

“It’s a waiting game,” Dorsainvil says. “We’re just trying to figure out what’s next.”