“They told us that we would have at least a 24-hour notice, maybe longer, but it would probably not be a lot of notice,” DeWine said Monday. “If we get that notice then of course we will notify people and be prepared for that.”
The state does not have “any indication” that ICE will come in “other than … what they will consider their normal picking people up.”
“Our focus will remain where it always is and that is to help the local police department and the local sheriff’s office to keep order and keep people safe,” DeWine said.
The Trump administration has until 10 a.m. Tuesday to file its declaration, according to the order.
“If the Government has taken no action in anticipation of the Termination, the declarant must state that,” the order says.
Reyes wrote in her order that whether DHS has taken steps to plan immigration enforcement actions in Springfield is important in weighing whether to stay her order that halted the end of TPS, which was set to expire 11:59 p.m. Feb. 3. Reyes also gave plaintiffs suing to stop the end of TPS for Haitians until noon Wednesday to respond to the Trump administration’s request that her order be stayed.
DeWine, local law enforcement and Haitian community advocates have been preparing for the possibility of an ICE surge. Many have expected one since President Donald Trump said on the 2024 campaign trail he would conduct mass deportations in Springfield.
Springfield is home to an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 Haitians, many on TPS.
DIG INTO OUR HAITIAN COVERAGE
Clark County Sheriff’s Office to ‘maintain the peace’ as TPS ends, will not enforce immigration laws
WATCH: Haitian restaurant in Springfield struggles as federal protections near expiration
• What’s coming?: After some initially warned of an anticipated 30-day ICE surge following the end of TPS, school and state officials stressed they have had no direct communication with the feds about potential enforcement actions, but they are preparing for the possibility.
• A community in fear: Reporter Cornelius Frolik traveled the streets of Springfield with a translator and spoke to more than a dozen Haitian people living and working in the Springfield area. Most of them expressed feelings of uncertainty and dread about the TPS cancellation.
• Lawsuits: Area Haitians on TPS are pinning their hopes on a couple of lawsuits that challenge the legality of the federal government’s decision to cancel the TPS designation for Haiti. Here are the details on those lawsuits, including one involving a Springfield man.
• Keket: Our reporters sat down with a local restaurant owner concerned that immigration enforcement fears could close her business. Her compelling personal story is captured in writing and video here.
• Residents prepare: More than 80 people took part in an educational event at Zion Hill Baptist Church in Springfield Thursday evening, learning about their rights and those of their neighbors regardless of immigration status.
• Law enforcement: Local law enforcement officials say they will work to “maintain the peace” amid any ICE surge, but they won’t enforce federal immigration law.
• City leaders: The Springfield City Commission unanimously passed a resolution asking federal immigration agents to follow local rules when conducting enforcement activities.
• Politicians react: Our statehouse reporter Avery Kreemer reached out to politicians who represent Dayton and Springfield at the state and national level about their views on ending TPS and an ICE surge. Read that story here.
• How we got here: We have been reporting on the growth of the Haitian population in Springfield and its effect on the community for years. This story from the archive explains why so many Haitians relocated to Springfield, Ohio.
• Community survey: In addition to reporters interviewing residents on the street, we created an online survey to gather community perspective. I’ll have a summary of responses in an upcoming story.
• Dayton action: Several Dayton restaurants and other businesses closed Friday and hundreds of people gathered in front of U.S. Rep. Mike Turner’s Dayton office as part of the nationwide protest of ICE operations.
• VIDEO: What to know about Haitian immigration in Springfield
• VIDEO: Haitian immigrant community grows in Springfield
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