The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has notified some Haitians in Springfield who previously had TPS status to report to their office in Blue Ash, Ohio, for an in-person check-in.
Temporary Protected Status for Haiti expired on Monday, July 27, 2026, after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that DHS had the authority to end it.
The summons to Haitians who lost their Temporary Protected Status this week is in the form of a letter from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
Viles Dorsainvil is executive director of the Springfield Haitian Support Center. Since July 27, he’s driven more than a dozen former TPS holding immigrants to Blue Ash, each armed with all of their immigration papers.
"What we see is that when they get there, (ICE) interviewed them and eventually they put an ankle monitor on them," Dorsainvil said.
The individuals also received court dates 30-days out from the check-in meeting.
According to Dorsainvil, if people cannot make the appointment, they must write a reason on the form, scan it and email back within 24 hours.
"There is one mother who went to that appointment. When she came back home, she did not even want her kids to notice that she has that ankle monitor," Dorsainvil said. "I am grieving with this family for that because it's really humiliating. They're not criminals. They put ankle monitors on criminals. This is very humiliating to see happen to my people."
According to Columbus-based immigration attorney Inna Simakovsky, if people don’t appear for the check-in appointment or if they refuse to wear the ankle monitor, they can be arrested and deported.
WYSO reached out to the Department of Homeland Security with specific questions about these summons and using ankle monitors on Haitian immigrants.
A DHS spokesperson said the federal agency conducts law enforcement activities across the country every day and doesn't discuss ongoing or future operations.
The spokesperson also said in a statement that TPS is intended to be temporary.
"For too long, TPS has been allowed to function as a de facto amnesty program despite Congress never intending it to be permanent," the statement said. "What we would say now is it’s closing time which means you don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.”
ICE also says on its website: “ICE’s Alternatives to Detention programs exist to ensure compliance with release conditions and provide important case management services for non-detained aliens.”
Springfield City Mayor Rob Rue says his office has gotten no information from ICE regarding planned enforcement operations in the city.
Tuesday during a city commission meeting, he emphasized the city's responsibility is to provide essential services, maintain public safety and fairly serve everyone in the community in accordance with the law. According to Rue, it’s the sole responsibility of the U.S. Congress to create an immigration system that works for all parties.
"Many immigrants have spent years working, paying taxes, raising families and contributing to communities across the country. Under the current legal framework, there is no opportunity for permanent legislative solution for many of these individuals," said Rue. "As a country, we can enforce our immigration laws while recognizing the contributions of individuals who have demonstrated the commitment to work and strengthening their communities."
Rue also urged residents of Springfield and surrounding communities to respect each other when expressing their views. Noting everyone has the lawful right to peacefully gather.He ended by acknowledging current federal immigration laws must be enforced. And those who violate should expect those laws to be applied.
Meanwhile, Dorsainvil and his team are busy helping their countrymen navigate the ever growing uncertainty for some Haitian immigrants in the wake of losing TPS.
"I know I have faith in the Lord, but I don't know what the Lord is about to do. If only he can reveal something to me," Dorsainvil said. "I am grieving for my country. I am grieving for my people here. It's tough, really tough."
