SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine cautions that Springfield, Ohio-area employers could face serious staffing shortages when the legal status of thousands of Haitian residents ends on February 3, according to the Dayton Daily News and WCPO.
Ohio employers in the Springfield area are preparing for potential workforce shortages after the expiration of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for thousands of Haitians on February 3. The TPS program has allowed many Haitians to legally live and work in the United States for years.
Estimates suggest between 10,000 and 15,000 Haitians reside in the Springfield area in Clark County. While some have TPS, others have pending asylum claims or other immigration statuses, and it remains unclear how the expiration of TPS will affect them. Some Haitians have already lost work permits through humanitarian parole programs.
Local business leaders have expressed concern over the loss of workers, citing their reliability and willingness to work overtime. The Ohio state government has implemented services to support the growing Haitian community, including health clinics, driving schools, and language classes.
The termination of TPS by the Trump administration comes amid uncertainty over whether federal enforcement will target individuals once their legal status expires.
