Haitians here under TPS told to be prepared

FINDLAY — Findlay-Hancock County's Haitian immigrant population, here under temporary protection status, should begin preparing themselves and their families for "immigration enforcement," according to a staff attorney with Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE), Toledo. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced Thursday that temporary protection status (TPS) for Haitians will end in August. TPS is granted by the secretary of Homeland Security to people who are unable to return to their home country safely due to armed conflict, natural disasters or other extraordinary circumstances. At last count, there were about 1,000 immigrants, many of them Haitians here under TPS, living, working or both in Findlay, and about 1,500 in the Hancock County region. In May 2024, about 300 of the workers were employed through First Diversity Staffing, a temporary service headquartered in Springfield, Ohio. According to Homeland Security, a total of 520,694 Haitians were eligible for TPS protection in 2024. According to the Associated Press, it's not immediately clear how quickly people could be deported once their protections expire. Some may apply for other types of protection, and there are logistical challenges to carrying out such large-scale deportations. The Trump administration has already moved to end the protections for Venezuelans. Two nonprofit groups have filed a lawsuit challenging that decision. "Right now, the biggest thing for folks that don't have a green card or a work permit is to start preparing yourself and your family for immigration enforcement," said Gwen Short, ABLE attorney. "Have a plan in place. If you are deported, who will take care of your children? Your property? If a loved one is deported, do you plan to go with them?" "Preparing Your Family for Immigration Enforcement: Informational Packets" and videos are available on the group's website: www.ablelaw.org. The packets are available in 10 different languages, including Haitian Creole. ABLE is a nonprofit law firm in Ohio that provides legal services to low-income individuals and communities. ABLE's Toledo office serves western Ohio, including the Toledo area. ABLE's Agricultural Worker and Immigrant Rights (AIR) advocates represent immigrants throughout Ohio. ABLE is the largest group of nonprofit attorneys and accredited legal representatives in the state. Short said the decision to end TPS for Haitians may also face legal challenges. For now, ABLE is hosting regional clinics in hopes of giving the immigrant population better access to legal advice, but Short said the need is great, and according to ABLE, resources for legal services to low-income refugees and immigrants are "nearly nonexistent" in its 32-county service area. ABLE is the only provider of these services in Northwest and West Central Ohio. There is no right to appointed counsel in immigration cases, even when people are in detention for months, Short said. "I haven't spoken to anyone who has not wanted to come here the right way and follow the process, but it's very complicated, even for people who are highly educated and English is their first language. Let alone a person fleeing a violent country and English is their second language," she said. The Associated Press contributed to this story.