Haitian Immigrants in Springfield
Written by Austen Kite
TATD recent efforts to address Haitian Immigrants in Springfield
Teens at the Door is excited to be working alongside President Viles Dorsainvil at the Haitian Community Support and Help Center in Springfield, Ohio. After hearing inaccurate political claims targeting Haitian immigrants in Springfield, TATD members could only try to imagine how targeted, misunderstood, and lonely the Haitian teenagers in Springfield must feel. Our aim is to connect with teenage Haitian immigrants and offer comfort during this scary time. After already going through such a radical change by moving to a new environment, we believe having teens to contact online will be immensely beneficial. TATD felt it was important to first establish a connection with the parents of the immigrant teens to ensure that they feel comfortable connecting with our organization. A zoom between parents on both ends was held recently, and was a huge success. An upcoming zoom between teens in LA and in Springfield will be held where we can get to know one another, establish a relationship, and overall support each other.
The Situation in Springfield
Many immigrants from Haiti have decided to settle in Springfield due to the city’s low cost of living and plentiful jobs. They are, according to the City of Springfield’s immigration facts, in the city legally under the Immigration Parole program and eligible to apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Haitian immigrants are positively impacting the city by working in various industries including warehouses, manufacturing, and several professional jobs. The Haitian immigrants have also constructively influenced Springfields culture by opening several businesses recently, including 2 Haitian restaurants, 7 grocery stores, and a Haitian food truck.
Misinformation about the Haitian immigrant population is spreading rapidly and must be addressed. Some believe that Haitians are committing crimes in the area, this is not the case. Haitian immigrants are much more likely to be the victims of crime than they are to be the perpetrators in the Springfield community. As of September 8th, 2024, less than 1% of county jail inmates are Haitian. Another accusation is that the Haitian immigrants are killing local animals such as geese. This is not at all true, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources has confirmed there is no evidence to support this claim. As harsh claims spread about the Haitian population, it is imperative that we promote the truth and advocate for these immigrants to ensure they are welcomed by all and treated fairly as people.
The national and local pressure placed on these immigrants is unfair and unjust. We as an organization are doing our part to make these people feel more comfortable and confident as members of an American community.
News and Sources
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/14/us/haitian-migrants-springfield-ohio.html
https://www.npr.org/2024/09/19/nx-s1-5114047/springfield-ohio-haitian-migrants-trump-safety-concerns