Ohio’s Republican Governor Mike DeWine is facing backlash after suggesting Haitian nationals slated for deportation under federal policy should be allowed to remain because they are central to the state’s economic growth.
The controversy comes as thousands of Haitian nationals risk losing Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
The humanitarian designation allows foreign nationals from unstable countries to live and work legally in the United States without fear of deportation.
However, TPS is temporary, as the name suggests, and those granted the status are expected to return to their home nations once it expires.
TPS Set to Expire for Haitians
TPS was created under the Immigration Act of 1990 to provide temporary legal protection for individuals from countries experiencing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary conditions.
Haitian nationals first received TPS in 2010 following a catastrophic earthquake that killed more than 200,000 people and displaced millions.
The Biden administration later extended the designation, citing hurricanes, political instability, and gang violence in Haiti.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), under Secretary Kristi Noem, announced last year that TPS for Haitians would terminate on February 3, 2026.
The Trump administration argues that the program should return to its original temporary purpose now that conditions in Haiti have improved.
If allowed to proceed, the termination would remove legal work authorization and expose TPS holders to deportation proceedings.
However, one day before protections were set to expire, U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes issued a stay blocking the termination, ruling it “null, void, and of no legal effect” pending further judicial review.
The administration is expected to appeal.
Estimates suggest roughly 330,000 to 350,000 Haitians currently hold TPS, with some figures reaching 400,000 when pending applications are included.
Without further extensions or alternative relief, most could become eligible for deportation.
Ohio Impact And Political Fallout
In Ohio, approximately 12,000 to 15,000 Haitians, many concentrated in Springfield and surrounding communities, could be affected.
Springfield drew national attention during the 2024 election cycle amid local concerns about rapid migrant influxes and related community tensions.
The city ultimately shifted sharply to the political Right.
Despite the shift, DeWine has continued urging that Haitian TPS holders remain in the country.
“My position hasn’t changed,” DeWine said in a recent interview with CNN.
“I think taking away TPS would be a mistake.”
He also argued immigrants play a major role in the state’s economic expansion.
“If you look at the growth in Ohio, over half the growth is immigrants,” DeWine claimed.
The governor further called for broader national immigration reforms, including potential legalization pathways for foreign workers.
“I think this is an appropriate time for the country to examine legal immigration,” he said.
“We’ve kind of put that off for a long period of time.”
Ohio’s ‘Republican’ Governor Mike DeWine says that we can’t end TPS for Haitians because Ohio’s economy depends on foreigners.
The reason we’ve gotten to where we are is because too many ‘Republicans’ simply view our nation as numbers on a balance sheet. pic.twitter.com/LXgIkZfr7T
— Theo Wold (@RealTheoWold) February 5, 2026
Legal Uncertainty Ahead
While opposing the TPS termination, DeWine has said he will comply with court rulings as litigation proceeds.
The case now heads toward appeal, where the future of legal status for hundreds of thousands of Haitian nationals, and the political fallout surrounding the issue, will ultimately be decided.
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