Springfield Pastors Plan Civil Disobedience as TPS Expiry Threatens 10,000 Haitians
Updated
Updated · The Bulwark · Jul 30
Springfield Pastors Plan Civil Disobedience as TPS Expiry Threatens 10,000 Haitians
1 articles · Updated · The Bulwark · Jul 30
Summary
G92 clergy in Springfield said some pastors are prepared to stand between ICE and Haitian residents facing detention or deportation, pledging nonviolent civil disobedience if removals begin.
More than 10,000 Haitians in the region face the imminent loss of Temporary Protected Status, and pastors said some residents are already being called to Cincinnati check-ins and fitted with ankle monitors.
Churches and nonprofits are absorbing the fallout as people who lose TPS also lose jobs and access to most aid; coalition leaders said food, rent and emergency support needs already run into the millions.
Local religious and civic leaders argued Haitians helped drive Springfield's economic revival, while Gov. Mike DeWine and Mayor Rob Rue urged Congress to preserve protections that a House-passed TPS extension bill may struggle to clear in the Senate.