Fear, faith and preparation as ICE closes in on an Ohio community

January 28, 2026

Residents of Springfield, Ohio are mobilizing extensive community preparations as Temporary Protected Status for approximately 330,000 Haitians ends on February 3, despite ongoing violence and instability in Haiti. The city of 60,000, which hosts up to 15,000 immigrants (many Haitian), has organized faith-based networks to protect families from potential ICE enforcement actions. Community efforts include establishing church-supervised care facilities for children who might be separated from their parents, creating rapid communication systems to alert residents of immigration agents, and training nearly 200 volunteers on their rights and nonviolent resistance tactics.

Who is affected

Up to 15,000 immigrants in the Springfield area, many of them Haitian
Approximately 330,000 Haitians nationwide living under TPS
Thousands of Haitian and Haitian-American children in Springfield
Springfield residents (city population of about 60,000)
28 churches and 114 volunteers in the faith-based network
Faith-based coalitions including G92, St. Vincent de Paul, and the Nehemiah Foundation
Pastor Carl Ruby and his congregation
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's office
Parents who may face deportation or self-deportation

What action is being taken

Churches are being "activated" to provide emergency care and short-term housing for children
St. Vincent de Paul is urging Haitian parents to obtain U.S. passports for American-born children
Faith-based organizations are establishing kinship care and guardianship arrangements
Volunteers are preparing to staff "hubs" for children separated from parents
Phone chains are being organized to alert communities when ICE agents are spotted
Food is being delivered to neighbors from personal cars instead of food pantry trucks
G92 is conducting rapid-response training sessions (nearly 200 people attended on Saturday)
Community members are preparing to record ICE activities and engage in nonviolent resistance
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is pledging additional state support

Why it matters

This situation is significant because it represents a large-scale humanitarian crisis affecting an entire community, where up to a quarter of Springfield's population faces potential deportation despite Haiti's continued instability. The end of TPS could result in mass family separations, with thousands of American-born children potentially losing their parents to deportation. The community's preparations reflect both the trauma from 2024's misinformation campaign and white nationalist visits, as well as heightened fears following recent deadly ICE encounters in Minneapolis. The situation also highlights the conflict between local communities seeking to protect vulnerable residents and federal immigration enforcement policies, with churches risking direct confrontation with ICE agents after the Trump administration eliminated protections for houses of worship, schools, and hospitals.

What's next

TPS for Haitians ends on February 3
A federal court ruling on challenges to the TPS termination is expected before the February 3 end date
Depending on the ruling, the Trump administration might appeal or potentially ignore the court decision
ICE enforcement actions may begin (rumors suggest January 28 or February 3, potentially lasting 30 days)
Community members anticipate potential "siege" by ICE agents in Springfield
Church hubs will be activated to receive children if family separations occur

Read full article from source: The 19th