The Trump administration has begun stripping lawful status from Haitian immigrants following a Supreme Court ruling that allowed the termination of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program.
This move places thousands at risk of immediate deportation.
An analysis by MS NOW of data from immigration advocacy groups and the Department of Homeland Security indicates that 1.8 million immigrants have lost their lawful status since the start of President Donald Trump's second term.
This figure includes individuals under TPS as well as those who entered through Biden-era humanitarian parole programs, including the CBP One application system for citizens of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
In Ohio, where about 50,000 Haitians reside, Republican Governor Mike DeWine warned that thousands of contributing members of the community will lose their jobs overnight as their work authorizations expire.
Immigrants Express Fear and Disappointment
The policy shift has drawn sharp criticism from affected immigrants who have built businesses and families in the United States over several decades.
"The idea of [the] United States, the 'land of opportunity for all' — is it really for all?" said Farah Larrieux, a 47-year-old small-business owner in Miramar, Florida.
Other immigrants expressed terror regarding the prospect of being forced to return to Haiti, which currently carries a Level 4 travel warning from the State Department due to rampant violence.
"I know I would die," said Vilbrun, an immigrant who noted he came to the country believing he had nothing to fear because he is not a criminal.
Legal scholars and immigration attorneys described the widespread administration campaign to remove lawful protections as an unprecedented and punitive effort to alter national demographics.
"This is how you create a shadow population," said Pratheepan Gulasekaram, a professor of constitutional and immigration law at the University of Colorado Law School.
Administration Defends Actions
White House officials defended the immigration enforcement actions, stating that the measures are designed to correct long-standing flaws within the federal system.
"The Trump Administration continues to lawfully end the egregious abuses to our immigration system that have hurt Americans for years," said White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson.
Administration officials have consistently framed the reduction of both legal and illegal immigration as a necessary national security measure.
"You are not just importing individuals," said Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff.
Immigration authorities confirmed that operations will escalate against individuals who have lost their legal eligibility to remain in the country.
"What we would say now is, 'It's closing time,' which means you don't have to go home, but you can't stay here," said an unnamed DHS spokesperson.
Despite the lack of formal notifications regarding impending federal raids in Ohio, regional charter flights utilized by immigration authorities have continued regularly.
"It's not unusual for the Department of Homeland Security to not clue in people on what they're doing," said U.
S. Representative Emilia Sykes, a Democrat representing Ohio's 13th District.
Supporters and Critics Weigh In
Conservative lawmakers and former representatives argued that the program was never intended to serve as a permanent residency track for foreign nationals.
"It's not a permanent immigration policy; It's something that is temporary," said state Representative Gary Click, a Republican from Vickery.
Supporters of the policy stated that returning workers would ultimately benefit their country of origin while opening up positions within the domestic market.
"Maybe they can help improve the status in Haiti by trying to implement and trying to be leaders and saying, 'Let's bring some of those values into our native land, and let's make Haiti great again,'" said Click.
Former Ohio Congressman Jim Renacci also supported the expiration of the status, asserting that the change protects local employment opportunities.
"I think in the end it is good because we do have American workers that need to have jobs, and at the same time, we do need an immigration process that's legal," said Renacci.
Local advocacy groups, including the Ohio Immigrant Alliance, have scheduled public demonstrations at the entrance of the Akron-Canton Airport to protest the ongoing federal deportation flights.
