Ohio Sends Troopers and $2.5 Million to City With Influx of Haitian Migrants

COLUMBUS, Ohio – In response to a significant influx of Haitian migrants, the governor of Ohio is mobilizing law enforcement and directing substantial healthcare resources toward the city of Springfield. This move comes as Springfield grapples with the challenges posed by the sudden arrival of thousands of temporary Haitian migrants.

Republican Governor Mike DeWine announced on Tuesday that while he does not oppose the Temporary Protected Status program, which has allowed approximately 15,000 Haitians to settle in Springfield since 2020, he emphasized that the federal government needs to take more action to assist affected communities.

His announcement coincided with a high-profile presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, where immigration policy was anticipated to be a hot topic.

The situation garnered further attention when Ohio’s Republican Attorney General Dave Yost directed his office to explore potential legal actions, including the possibility of a lawsuit, aimed at preventing the federal government from sending “an unlimited number of migrants to Ohio communities.”

In recent years, Springfield has seen a surge in Haitian migrants as escalating violence and unrest in Haiti have driven many to seek safer lives abroad. Gangs have increasingly taken control of various regions in the country, leaving many citizens in search of better opportunities.

Governor DeWine noted that Ohio has already allocated support to Springfield, enhancing programs aimed at education, driver training, and public health, including vaccinations and health screenings. However, he acknowledges that the current circumstances demand more robust measures.

“These dramatic surges impact every citizen of the community,” he stated, highlighting the broader effects on residents, from increased wait times for healthcare services to overcrowded classrooms. He also pointed out that similar increases in migrant populations are being observed in other Ohio cities, such as Findlay and Lima.

As part of the response, the Ohio State Highway Patrol is set to assist local law enforcement in managing traffic concerns stemming from an increase in unfamiliar drivers on the roads. Many of these Haitian migrants are still learning U.S. traffic laws, prompting the need for additional oversight.

Additionally, Governor DeWine is allocating $2.5 million over the next two years for primary healthcare services to be distributed through county health departments and private healthcare providers. This funding aims to better cater to the healthcare needs of the growing population.

DeWine has a personal connection to Haiti through his family’s charitable efforts in the country, founded in memory of his late daughter, Becky, who passed away in a car accident. In his remarks, he characterized the Haitian migrants as diligent individuals who prioritize their families and strive to escape the turmoil in their homeland in search of meaningful employment in Ohio.