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.
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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.
