COLUMBUS, Ohio — The governor of Ohio will send law enforcement and millions of dollars in healthcare resources to the city of Springfield as it faces a surge in temporary Haitian migrants that has landed it in the national spotlight.
Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said Tuesday he doesn’t oppose the Temporary Protected Status program under which some 15,000 Haitians have arrived in the city of about 59,000 people since 2020, but said the federal government must do more to help impacted communities.
His news conference was held just hours before the presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former Republican President Donald Trump, where the divide over immigration policy was sure to be an issue.
On Monday, Republican Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost also drew attention to the crisis when he directed his office to research legal avenues — including filing a lawsuit — to stop the federal government from sending “an unlimited number of migrants to Ohio communities.”
Thousands of temporary Haitian migrants have landed in the city in recent years, as longstanding unrest in their home country has given way to violent gangs ruling the streets.
Ohio has already provided additional resources to Springfield to help with education and training for drivers, to pay for more vaccines and health screenings in schools, and to enhance translation services, explained DeWine. But he’s taking additional action.
“These dramatic surges impact every citizen of the community, every citizen,” he said, noting additional influxes are occurring in Findlay and Lima, Ohio. “Moms who have to wait hours in a waiting room with a sick child, everyone who drives on the streets, and it affects children who go to school in more crowded classrooms.”
On Wednesday, the Ohio State Highway Patrol will be dispatched to help local law enforcement with traffic issues that officials say have cropped up due to an increase in Haitians unfamiliar with U.S. traffic laws using the roads. DeWine said he is also earmarking $2.5 million over two years to provide more primary healthcare through the county health department and private healthcare institutions.
DeWine’s family operates a charity in Haiti in honor of their late daughter, Becky, who died in a car accident. He said the Haitians who have moved to Ohio are generally hard-working people who love their families and who are seeking to escape the violence in their home country for good jobs in Ohio.
Ohio State Troopers have been deployed to assist a city overwhelmed by an influx of Haitian migrants, with $2.5 million allocated to support their efforts. The state troopers are working alongside local law enforcement agencies to provide security and support to the city as it grapples with the challenges of accommodating a large number of migrants.
The decision to allocate funds for this purpose comes as the city faces a surge in arrivals of Haitian migrants, many of whom are seeking asylum in the United States. The influx has put a strain on local resources and services, prompting the need for additional assistance from state authorities.
Ohio State Troopers have been tasked with helping to maintain order and ensure the safety of both the migrants and the local community. They are working to provide security at migrant shelters, assist with transportation and logistics, and support local law enforcement in managing the situation.
The $2.5 million allocated for this operation will be used to cover the costs of deploying state troopers to the city, as well as to provide additional resources and support as needed. This funding will help to ensure that the city has the necessary resources to effectively respond to the influx of migrants and address any challenges that may arise.
The presence of Ohio State Troopers in the city is a testament to the state’s commitment to supporting communities in need and providing assistance during times of crisis. Their efforts are essential in helping to manage the situation and ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals involved.
Overall, the deployment of Ohio State Troopers and the allocation of $2.5 million to assist the city overwhelmed by Haitian migrants demonstrate a proactive and coordinated response to a complex and challenging situation. By working together with local authorities and community partners, state troopers are helping to address the immediate needs of those affected by the influx of migrants and ensure that the city can effectively manage this crisis.
