Uncertainty lingers for Springfield’s Haitian community ahead of TPS expiration
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (WSYX) — Worry and uncertainty is growing in Springfield as an estimated 15,000 Haitian immigrants could be affected by the end of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) on Monday.
The Haitian community makes up roughly one-quarter of Springfield’s population, meaning the impact could be felt across the entire city.
“91% of the Haitians that are in the United States came here under the Biden era,” Moreno said. “They came here illegally filed false asylum claims and they were granted amnesty by Biden that was for five years ago. It’s temporary.”
The population of Springfield, Ohio grew by 25% in the last 4 or 5 years, by adding people from the poorest country in the Western hemisphere. In Haiti, people speak Haitian Creole and French. How could they possibly improve the lives of Springfield natives?
About a quarter of the Haitians receive federal assistance through Medicaid, TANF (welfare), SNAP (food stamps) or refugee assistance. That is federal money streaming into a small town. Recipients send some of it back to Haiti as remittances and some is spent for goods and services in Springfield. Some business owners care more about the money than about the disruption to the community.
Medicaid and food stamp fraud are ongoing issues. Governor DeWine is happy to have an influx of immigrants because it camouflages problems with his leadership.
Gov. Mike DeWine has criticized the decision to end TPS for Haitians, calling it a mistake and saying it will hurt Ohio’s economy.
Increase the population by 25% in a few years by adding low skilled, low ability people who don’t speak English, and the community and economy will be skewed. Housing prices go up because they need a place to live, wages stagnate because they will work for lower wages in poorer conditions, hospitals and government offices are swamped.
Imagine the school system. Enrollment increases by 25% by adding students who don’t speak English and are completely unfamiliar with an American education system. The average IQ in Haiti is 70. Virtually all Haitian students would need remedial education and would probably have learning disabilities.
Haitian immigrants are expensive. Even if it’s the federal government footing the bill, they are a burden on our country and the local community. I don’t blame them at all, but it’s time to go back to Haiti.
State and local law enforcement will avoid a lot of drama and tragedy by assisting immigration officials with repatriation.
