Springfield's Republican Mayor Calls Out Trump's Immigration Move

The Republican Mayor of Springfield, Ohio, is pushing back against the Trump administration's decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian migrants, saying in an interview with Newsweek that abrupt deportations would harm both his city's economy and immigrant families.

Mayor Rob Rue said: "I encourage this administration to reform federal immigration policies in a way that protects our borders, ensures fairness, and enriches our nation—while also giving immigrants seeking to become productive citizens a clear path forward instead of facing immediate deportation," he said, adding that reforms must uphold America's reputation as a beacon of opportunity.

Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment via email.

Why It Matters

Springfield became an immigration flashpoint during the election campaign, when fake news circulated claiming Haitian migrants were eating the pets of local residents. This was debunked after Donald Trump repeated the claim during a Presidential debate with Democratic contender Kamala Harris in September.

At the same time the contributions of Haitian migrants to Springfield's growth were highlighted by officials who noted that the city has expanded by 25 percent in the past three years due to the legal arrival of 10,000—12,000 Haitian immigrants. These individuals play a critical role in the local workforce, according to the mayor. The majority of voters supported Trump's election proposals to deport people who have no permission to live in the U.S, but they are divided about how to carry out the policy.

What to Know

The Trump administration has overturned Biden's extension of TPS legal status for Haitian migrants, with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announcing that protections will now expire in August. The decision puts 500,000 people at risk of being sent back to a country plagued by political instability and gang violence.

Rue opposes the move, warning it will harm the local economy and hardworking immigrant families who are in the U.S. legally. Haitian community leaders also condemn the decision, citing Haiti's worsening security crisis.

Rue cautions against sweeping mass deportations due to anticipated economic repercussions, advocating a balanced approach that secures borders while offering a clear pathway for legal immigration.

He said: "I firmly believe in protecting our borders and reforming our immigration policies. Hasty changes and swift deportation will cause hardworking immigrants to be lost, negatively impacting our economy.

"These individuals were given hope and a sense of security through the Temporary Protected Status policy, which has been embraced by several administrations. The United States must continue to be a beacon of hope and a torchbearer of democracy.

"They have strengthened our local economy by filling key roles in manufacturing and health care, even as their rapid arrival has strained public services and housing.

"While those who commit crimes must be held accountable and face deportation, many other immigrants pay taxes and bolster our community. The policy of the previous federal administration lacked accountability, forcing us to manage an influx rather than promote healthy integration."

The decision to end TPS for Haitian immigrants has also drawn widespread criticism from immigrant rights groups and lawmakers, who warn that stripping legal workers from the economy could lead to labor shortages and economic instability across multiple sectors.

During the election campaign, JD Vance promoted a widely debunked claim that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating local pets—a false allegation later repeated by Trump. Although the arrival of new immigrants had already stirred some tensions in the community, Trump's TV debate comments intensified the situation.

Multiple bomb threats were made against schools, health care facilities, and other buildings in Springfield.

A Community in Danger

The rollback of TPS has sparked fear and frustration within the Haitian community. Many Haitian TPS holders have lived in the U.S. for years, establishing families and careers. For over a decade, Haitian TPS holders have legally lived and worked in the U.S. since the catastrophic 2010 earthquake in Haiti.

In 2014, Springfield launched the "Welcome Springfield" initiative aimed at revitalizing the local economy by attracting immigrants.

Advocates argue that forcing them to return to Haiti amid escalating gang violence, political instability, and a humanitarian crisis is both inhumane and impractical.

Haiti is in the midst of a severe crisis, plagued by political instability and widespread poverty. Armed gangs now control approximately 80 percent of the capital, Port-au-Prince, carrying out kidnappings, extortion, and deadly clashes with security forces.

Whenda Tima, CEO and Founder of L'union Suite condemned the decision by the Trump administration, saying: "To send them back to Haiti, especially given the current humanitarian and security crisis, is unthinkable. The situation in Haiti remains dire, worsening gang violence, political instability, and a lack of basic resources make it impossible for Haitians to safely return."

The 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse further deepened the country's turmoil, leaving a power vacuum that remains unfilled. Meanwhile, food shortages, a collapsing health care system, and worsening humanitarian conditions have forced over a million people to flee their homes in search of safety.

Florida Democratic Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, slammed the Trump administration's decision to revoke TPS for nearly a half-million Haitian workers. She warned that the abrupt removal of these workers would have "an immense and irreparable impact on businesses across the country and our economy at large."

She emphasized that Haitian TPS holders have been vital contributors to the U.S. economy, working legally and paying taxes while strengthening key industries such as health care, aviation, small businesses and education.

What People Are Saying

A DHS spokesperson said in a statement: "[Former president Joe] Biden and [former Homeland Security secretary Alejandro] Mayorkas attempted to tie the hands of the Trump administration by extending Haiti's Temporary Protected Status by 18 months—far longer than justified or necessary. We are returning integrity to the TPS system, which has been abused and exploited by illegal aliens for decades. President Trump and Secretary Noem are returning TPS to its original status: temporary."

Cherfilus-McCormick, added: "Haitians with TPS status legally work and pay taxes in the U.S. Across the country, they have strengthened our workforce, supporting our airports, our hospitals, our small businesses and our schools. This decision will jeopardize our national security and significantly affect and damage the economies of numerous communities nationwide. I urge the administration to revisit and reverse this decision."

Tima added: "The Haitian community is absolutely distraught over this devastating decision. Thousands of Haitians on TPS have lived in the U.S. for years, working hard, contributing to the economy, and building lives for themselves and their families. Many have children who are U.S. citizens, and they are deeply woven into their communities. This decision disregards the reality on the ground and the contributions of Haitian immigrants who have long called this country home."

What Happens Next?

As the expiration date for TPS protections looms, local leaders and advocates continue to push for policy solutions that balance security concerns with economic and humanitarian considerations.