Haitian community in Springfield dwindles as TPS ends and ankle monitors loom
After the Supreme Court ended Temporary Protected Status, the Haitian congregation at St. Raphael in Springfield, Ohio, fell from nearly 100 to just a handful, with many fearing ICE restrictions.
A Supreme Court decision in June revoked Temporary Protected Status for Haitians, instantly turning more than 10,000 local residents in Springfield, Ohio, into undocumented workers subject to deportation. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued summonses directing many to reporting centers in Blue Ash and Westerville, where they receive ankle monitors and a 75-mile travel restriction. Reverend Fritzner Valcin, a Haitian-born naturalized citizen, previously led a Sunday congregation of about 100 at St. Raphael Church, but attendance has collapsed to four adults and two babies.
Fear of ICE actions has driven some families to relocate to Canada, while others remain isolated at home, with reports of despair and possible suicides. Valcin, known for his warmth, intends to continue ministering by offering livestreamed Masses and delivering communion to those confined at home. The situation underscores the profound personal and communal impact of the policy change on a small Ohio city.
Why it matters
The story shows how a national immigration ruling can devastate a local community's social and religious life.
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