Mike DeWine talks about current ICE policy
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine shares his thoughts on ICE and discusses current policies.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said officials are preparing for a possible surge in immigration enforcement if thousands of Haitians in Springfield lose their legal status overnight.
On February 3, more than 500,000 Haitians nationwide are expected to lose their temporary protected status, which allows immigrants from dangerous countries to remain in the United States. An estimated 15,000 Haitians, about a quarter of the population, live in Springfield, with another 30,000 living in central Ohio.
DeWine said he does not know for sure whether Immigration and Customs Enforcement will send officers to Springfield after TPS expires. But he is talking with Clark County police and school district officials to plan for that possibility.
“If ICE is actually going to come in and there’s going to be a major operation, obviously we have to solve this problem and make sure people aren’t getting hurt,” DeWine said on Jan. 27 in the Statehouse Bureau.
Springfield gained national attention during the 2024 presidential campaign when President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance falsely claimed that Haitians were eating pets. DeWine defended the Haitian community, arguing that ending TPS would hurt the local economy and jeopardize the safety of those forced to return to Haiti.
DeWine also said he is concerned that services for children could be overwhelmed if parents are detained by ICE.
“I don’t think it’s in our best interest for this country for all the Haitians who are working, sometimes working two jobs, to support their families and support the economy. I think it’s wrong to tell these people they can’t work anymore and have to leave,” he said.
DeWine’s comments come days after Border Patrol agents shot and killed 37-year-old nurse Alex Preti during protests against ICE’s presence in Minneapolis. DeWine declined to comment on ICE’s operations outside of Ohio, but called on ICE to follow the law and respect the rights of protesters should they arrive in Springfield.
“Everyone should have the same goal, and the same goal is to allow people to demonstrate and exercise their First Amendment rights, but at the same time, people should not be able to interfere with the lawful actions of ICE,” DeWine said. “They can’t do that. Whether we agree with that policy is another matter.”
State government reporter Haley BeMiller can be reached at hbemiller@usatodayco.com or @haleybemiller on X.
