A new report from the Ohio Immigrant Alliance reveals a troubling surge in the detention of Haitian Americans in Ohio since the Trump administration’s termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti in late July.
The report, “ICE Detention in Ohio After the Trump Administration Ended TPS for Haiti,” highlights alarming trends in immigration enforcement tactics employed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which have intensified in recent months.
ICE’s methods have reportedly included racial profiling in public spaces such as neighborhoods, shopping areas, and near schools, as well as detaining individuals who attend ICE appointments. The report indicates that local and state police have been collaborating with federal agencies, effectively expanding ICE’s reach across the state.
Lynn Tramonte, Executive Director of the Ohio Immigrant Alliance, criticized the administration’s approach, stating, “ICE is not arresting people committing crimes; they are arresting people with pending asylum cases and valid work permits.
“Our report shows that the Trump administration is not arresting Haitian-Ohioans because they have to; they are arresting them because they can.”
Tramonte condemned the current policies as “evil,” emphasizing the impact on communities and calling for support for Senate Bill 4814, which aims to restore TPS for Haitian nationals.
The report reveals a staggering 142% increase in the detention of Haitian-Americans at four Ohio county jails since the termination of TPS, with 63 individuals booked in just 36 days, compared to 26 in the previous seven months.
The Butler County Jail has emerged as a focal point, recording a significant rise in bookings, with the monthly incarceration rate for Haitian-Americans skyrocketing 1,400% in August alone.
Data collected by Springfield ICE Watch, a volunteer group, reported 53 detentions in Springfield between Aug. 7 and Aug.31, with an additional 21 in September.
The majority of those detained were Haitian. The report also highlights a troubling trend in the detention of Haitian women, who comprised only 2% of the female detainees in these jails before August but accounted for 39% in that month alone.
The median age of detained Haitian-Americans is 39, reflecting a community of established workers, business owners, and respected elders. This demographic shift underscores how these detentions affect families and community structures.
The report also addresses the controversial use of ankle shackles on Haitian-Ohioans who voluntarily report to ICE. The tragic case of 20-year-old Pierre Damas Bel, who took his own life after experiencing the humiliation of being shackled, has drawn attention to the psychological toll of such policies.
Tramonte criticized DHS Secretary Mullin’s justification for these practices, labeling them as cruel and unnecessary.
“Every single day people are killed in Haiti by gangs with guns — shipped to them from the United States. Instead of forcing people onto death planes, the Trump administration could do something useful and focus on the gun trafficking at the root of this violence,” Tramonte stated.
The report calls on Ohio GOP Sens. Matt Husted and Bernie Moreno to take immediate action by co-sponsoring S. 4814 to extend TPS for Haitian nationals.
Advocacy groups stress the need for bipartisan support for this legislation, emphasizing the importance of protecting vulnerable communities and addressing the humanitarian crisis stemming from current immigration policies.
As the situation evolves, local leaders and community members remain vigilant, advocating for justice and transparency in immigration enforcement practices.
