In Springfield, Ohio, the pastor of the First Haitian Evangelical Church, Rev. Reginald Silencieux, led his congregation in prayer at the close of Sunday service, surrounded by the flags of Haiti and the U.S. Many churchgoers sought his counsel and blessings amid fears stemming from immigration crackdowns associated with the Trump administration. While some attended for solace, others opted to stay home due to rising anxiety and uncertainty.
“I asked God to protect my people,” Rev. Silencieux expressed after the service, highlighting his prayers focused on the Haitian community and reminders to pray for the nation’s leadership as well. This sentiment resonates strongly within Springfield, which is home to an estimated 15,000 Haitians who are reliant on support from their faith and community during these turbulent times. Community leaders report that many are deeply concerned about the potential expiration of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program, which ensures them legal residency in the U.S.
“The community is panicking,” stated Viles Dorsainvil, executive director of the Haitian Community Help and Support Center. Residents are alarmed by continuous reports of enforcement actions against immigrants across the nation, and the anxiety is palpable. “Most immigrants in the U.S. are not criminals; they are diligent contributors to society,” he emphasized, stressing that any rational administration would rather collaborate with them than initiate deportation.
Previously, the community faced fears related to domestic violence and hostility against immigrants, particularly following disparaging remarks made by Trump regarding Haitian migrants. His comments incited a wave of bomb threats targeting local institutions, cultivating an atmosphere of dread. “We used to fear attacks from far-right groups like the Proud Boys; now our worries have shifted to the risk of deportation,” noted Jacob Payen, a community leader and owner of Milokan Botanica, a store specializing in Haitian spiritual and natural products. As increased awareness permeated the community, business streets that once bustled with life appeared unusually quiet.
Payen often finds himself guiding clients with immigration forms and answering queries about TPS, amidst his regular duties selling spiritual items. Brutus Joseph, a local worker in solar panel installation, visited the botanica seeking both spiritual comfort and an outlet for his frustrations. “I feel uneasy; it’s weighing on me,” he admitted through an interpreter, voicing concerns over his family’s well-being and expressing hopes that the administration would reconsider its stance.
Particularly anxious about the future of his five children, Joseph shared his fears about the dangers they may face if they have to return to Haiti, a situation that could drastically affect their lives. “If I leave, my children have no future; the risks back home are grave,” he pleaded, extending an empathetic appeal to Trump as a fellow family man.
Pastor Philostin remarked on the reduced attendance during the recent service, urging the community to remain vigilant yet not allow fear to deter their faith and participation. “They need alertness, not fear,” she advised, emphasizing that many spiritual leaders across the nation are confronting similar apprehensions regarding immigration and advocating for support and protection of vulnerable migrants.
Throughout his first term, Trump’s derogatory remarks about Haitian immigrants fueled animosity and anxiety, solidifying negative perceptions that continue to haunt the community. Recent years have seen an influx of Haitian migrants arriving in Springfield under the TPS program due to ongoing instability and violence at home.
Romane Pierre, a TPS recipient who arrived in 2020, voiced his frustrations and recently painful experiences, including the loss of his daughter during a violent night in Port-Au-Prince when medical assistance became inaccessible. “Life can be quite challenging,” he reflected quietly.
The TPS program, which permits him and others to reside legally in the U.S., is set to expire in February 2026. Pierre remains hopeful that the Trump administration will acknowledge the dire circumstances in Haiti and extend TPS for those in need. “Haiti is simply not safe for return right now,” he expressed earnestly.
The fears surrounding immigration and their implications for the Haitian community were echoed by Leslie Voltaire, president of Haiti’s transitional authority, who warned that U.S. immigration policy under Trump could lead to catastrophic outcomes for Haiti. In light of discussed humanitarian aid cuts and deportations, Voltaire stressed that this could exacerbate the already dire conditions resulting from rampant gang violence, especially given that half of Haiti’s population suffers from food insecurity at present.
