SPRINGFIELD — City leaders are expected to discuss Temporary Protected Status, which just ended for thousands of immigrants.
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TPS allows people from several countries dealing with violence, dangerous living conditions, or natural disasters to live in the U.S. legally.
“Haitian people are panicking about the long-term potential of being sent back to Haiti. And it’s not really long-term. It could happen as soon as this week,” Karl Ruby with G92 said.
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G92 is a group of churches around Springfield, gathering support and resources for Haitians living on TPS.
Now that their TPS has expired, people have to look into other ways to stay here.
Like getting a green card, getting a work sponsorship, or taking their case through immigration court.
He adds one of the biggest concerns in the Haitian community is who will take care of children born here when their parents are deported?
“We are trying to prepare for that. Do we have one family for every child who can be abandoned? Absolutely not,” Ruby said.
The Department of Homeland Security is offering incentives for TPS Haitians who self-deport through platforms like the CBP Home mobile app, including:
- Deprioritized for detention and removal by ICE
- Return to Haiti without arrest and cleared of any civil fines
- Free trip out of the U.S. with a $2,600 exit bonus
But Ruby said those incentives are unreasonable.
“How many of you would risk your lives for $2,600? I’ve talked to people in my church who have been tortured because they opposed corruption back in Haiti. So I’ve not heard from anyone who has said ‘I’m going to take the $2,600 and the airplane ticket and go back to Haiti,’” he said.
Church and community leaders are hosting a gathering to discuss ways to support the Haitian community through this transition.
Tuesday night, Springfield Mayor Rob Rue issued the following statement:
“As the federal government moves forward with ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for certain Haitian and Syrian nationals, many individuals and families in our community continue to face uncertainty about what comes next.
Many of those affected have become part of Springfield. They are our neighbors, coworkers, business owners, parents and taxpayers who contribute to our community every day. Immigration policy is the responsibility of the federal government. The City’s responsibility is to provide essential services, maintain public safety and serve everyone in our community fairly and in accordance with the law. We will continue to fulfill that responsibility professionally and consistently.
This is also a moment for Congress to lead. Many immigrants have spent years working, paying taxes, raising families and contributing to communities across our country. Under the current legal framework, there is no opportunity for a permanent legislative solution for many of these individuals. That responsibility belongs to Congress.
As an elected official serving in a nonpartisan role, my commitment is to the citizens of Springfield. I believe it’s important to care about people regardless of their nationality and offer support while following the law.
As a country, we can enforce our immigration laws while also recognizing the contributions of individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to working and strengthening their communities.
I encourage Congress to enact immigration reforms that secure our borders while creating a clear legal pathway for those who have demonstrated through their actions that they want to work, obey the law, pay taxes, and contribute to the United States. At the same time, our immigration laws must be enforced. Those who repeatedly violate our laws or choose not to become productive members of society should expect those laws to be applied. I encourage everyone to treat one another with dignity and respect. We support every person’s right to peacefully express their views, and we ask that everyone does so lawfully.
While the City has not received any information from ICE regarding planned enforcement operations in Springfield, our focus remains on maintaining the safety of everyone in our community. City officials will continue to monitor developments and coordinate with our public safety partners as appropriate. The Springfield Police Division will continue to carry out its mission of protecting the community. Lasting solutions require leadership. I hope Congress will seize this opportunity to modernize our immigration system in a way that upholds the rule of law, strengthens our economy, and reflects the values that have long made the United States strong."
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