Why This Might Be a Grim Week for the Haitians of Springfield, Ohio

TPS is just what the name says:
temporary. And for a portion of this community, that protection expires at
midnight on Tuesday. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, surprise
surprise, revoked TPS status for some 300,000 Haitians nationwide last
year, setting this February 3 as the date. After that, they will no longer be
able to work or live legally in the United States. What is the Trump
administration going to do?

It’s a question that has the Haitian
community of Springfield quaking. Carl Ruby, a Springfield pastor, told
a local television station last week: “They are making preparations to stay
inside, not to come out of their homes. They are afraid for their children. Just
yesterday, I had some Haitians in our church give me power of attorney in case
they become separated from their children so we can take care of them. They are
afraid.”

ICE, we have been told, is
“moderating” its behavior and procedures under Tom Homan (no one’s idea of a
moderate). I guess we’ll see this week how true that is. In any case, Pastor
Ruby is not alone, and is not remotely a hysterical voice. Even Republican
Governor Mike DeWine has taken a reasonably admirable stand here. DeWine said
Friday, “These people are working and they are hard workers, so I think from a
public policy point of view, it is a mistake. It is not in the best interest of
Ohio for these individuals who are working and who are workers to lose that
status. Having said that, this is not my decision. This is a decision for the
federal government, for the president of the United States.” (DeWine also
defended the community back during the campaign, when Vance was spreading his racist,
fascist lies.)