Here is what you need to know:
• Judge’s ruling: U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes in Washington paused the termination of TPS for Haitians while a lawsuit challenging the move proceeds. The judge wrote in an opinion that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem didn’t follow proper procedures taking conditions in Haiti into account when terminating TPS.
• Impact: The ruling postpones the end of TPS for Haiti indefinitely while the case proceeds. The Trump administration could seek to stay the judge’s order in an effort to allow the termination to take effect as the case continues.
“During the stay, the Termination shall be null, void, and of no legal effect,” the judge said in her two-page order.
• Appeal expected: DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin vowed Monday evening to take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.
“This is lawless activism that we will be vindicated on,” McLaughlin posted to her X account following the ruling. “Haiti’s TPS was granted following an earthquake that took place over 15 years ago, it was never intended to be a de facto amnesty program, yet that’s how previous administrations have used it for decades. Temporary means temporary and the final word will not be from an activist judge legislating from the bench.”
• Mayor reacts: Springfield Mayor Rob Rue said in a statement the ruling “provides clarity and stability for families who are already part of our community.”
“It reflects the reality that many individuals are working, pay taxes, raising families and contributing every day to the life of our city,” Rue said. “Economic stability in our community matters because uncertainty can affect businesses, workers and families alike. We respect the judicial process and remain committed to the wellbeing of the people who call our city home.”
• Haitian community reacts: Vilès Dorsainvil, local pastor and Haitian leader said the decision “will lower the pressure quite a bit and ease the fear that has been in the community.”
“I’ve been praying for it and I’ve been begging God just to help us with a good ruling,” Dorsainvil said. “The past (few) Sundays I have been preaching on Genesis Chapter 1 where God is able to bring structure to the chaos and I encouraged my congregants to keep heart and keep praying because the same God who says that let there be light and there was light, it’s the same God today ... and he speaks especially when there is this type of trouble.”
DIG INTO OUR HAITIAN COVERAGE
Clark County Sheriff’s Office to ‘maintain the peace’ as TPS ends, will not enforce immigration laws
WATCH: Haitian restaurant in Springfield struggles as federal protections near expiration
• What’s coming?: After some initially warned of an anticipated 30-day ICE surge following the end of TPS, school and state officials stressed they have had no direct communication with the feds about potential enforcement actions, but they are preparing for the possibility.
• A community in fear: Reporter Cornelius Frolik traveled the streets of Springfield with a translator and spoke to more than a dozen Haitian people living and working in the Springfield area. Most of them expressed feelings of uncertainty and dread about the TPS cancellation.
• Lawsuits: Area Haitians on TPS are pinning their hopes on a couple of lawsuits that challenge the legality of the federal government’s decision to cancel the TPS designation for Haiti. Here are the details on those lawsuits, including one involving a Springfield man.
• Keket: Our reporters sat down with a local restaurant owner concerned that immigration enforcement fears could close her business. Her compelling personal story is captured in writing and video here.
• Residents prepare: More than 80 people took part in an educational event at Zion Hill Baptist Church in Springfield Thursday evening, learning about their rights and those of their neighbors regardless of immigration status.
• Law enforcement: Local law enforcement officials say they will work to “maintain the peace” amid any ICE surge, but they won’t enforce federal immigration law.
• City leaders: The Springfield City Commission unanimously passed a resolution asking federal immigration agents to follow local rules when conducting enforcement activities.
• Politicians react: Our statehouse reporter Avery Kreemer reached out to politicians who represent Dayton and Springfield at the state and national level about their views on ending TPS and an ICE surge. Read that story here.
• How we got here: We have been reporting on the growth of the Haitian population in Springfield and its effect on the community for years. This story from the archive explains why so many Haitians relocated to Springfield, Ohio.
• Community survey: In addition to reporters interviewing residents on the street, we created an online survey to gather community perspective. I’ll have a summary of responses in an upcoming story.
• Dayton action: Several Dayton restaurants and other businesses closed Friday and hundreds of people gathered in front of U.S. Rep. Mike Turner’s Dayton office as part of the nationwide protest of ICE operations.
• VIDEO: What to know about Haitian immigration in Springfield
• VIDEO: Haitian immigrant community grows in Springfield
