Ohio Governor: ‘If ICE comes in, we expect ICE to follow those good police practices’

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State and local officials in Springfield say they are preparing for potential changes next week as Temporary Protected Status expires for thousands of Haitian immigrants amid concerns about a possible U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement presence in the city.

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, TPS benefits for immigrants from Haiti will end at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday. The change has raised concerns among members of Springfield’s Haitian community and prompted city and state leaders to plan for possible impacts.

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Local officials say they are preparing for the possibility that ICE agents could be active in Springfield, though Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine told WSYX on Friday that his office has no indication that ICE agents will be present in Springfield.

“I have no idea whether ICE is going to come into Springfield, Ohio, or not. I really don’t,” DeWine told reporters Friday after speaking at the New Perspective on the Northwest Ordinance Conference. “But if they come, we will have the Ohio State Highway Patrol to back up the Springfield Police Department, to back up the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. I've met with law enforcement officials. Those men and women will work hard to protect Ohioans. They are well-trained and they follow good practices. If ICE comes in, we expect ICE to follow those good police practices as well. That's what our expectation is. We'll follow the law. We'll try to keep people safe."

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DeWine explained that deporting Haitian immigrants would expose individuals to dangerous conditions in Haiti and could harm Springfield’s economy.

"The takeaway of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians is a mistake," DeWine said. "The situation in Haiti is as dire as I have ever seen it. The gangs are controlling a good part of the country, it's extremely violent, the economy is in shambles, the government does not function, the police are virtually worthless, so this is a very dangerous place. If Temporary Protected Status goes away next week, thousands of Haitians who are working, and contributing members of the community will not be able to work."

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DeWine told reporters Friday he met with the Clark County Department of Job and Family Services as concern for Haitian children is a top priority.

"We have over 1,000 children who have babies who have been born who are U.S. citizens," DeWine added. "If the parents are picked up, we have a concern what's going to happen to those children.

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