Several Haitian individuals from Springfield are currently in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Butler County Jail. This follows an increase in enforcement actions after the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti. Reports indicate that a caravan of vehicles believed to be conducting immigration enforcement was seen in Springfield recently, although the Springfield News-Sun could not confirm if these activities were related to ICE.
According to local activists, three men—Jn Bernard Breus, Johny Denis, and Jobner Myrtil—were apprehended by ICE while returning home from work. They were stopped in Urbana on their way to Springfield and were booked into the Butler County Jail on August 7, with the only charge listed as 'HOLD FOR ICE.' The families of the detained individuals have reached out to the Haitian Community Help and Support Center for assistance in obtaining legal representation.
ICE records show that there have been multiple arrests of Haitians from Springfield recently. A review of booking data revealed that 10 individuals with Haiti listed as their birthplace have been detained at the Butler County Jail since early July, with eight of them having Springfield addresses. The other two are reported to reside in Columbus and Lima.
A neighbor of the detained individuals expressed support for the Haitian community, highlighting their strong work ethic and lamenting their targeting after seeking a better life in the area. The recent arrests coincide with a federal judge's order on August 5, which lifted a stay on the revocation of TPS for Haitians, allowing the Trump administration to proceed with arrests and deportations of those previously protected under TPS.
ICE has not disclosed the total number of arrests made in Springfield or the immigration status of those detained. The Springfield area is estimated to have between 10,000 and 15,000 Haitians with varying immigration statuses.