Springfield Braces for Potential ICE Action, Community Responds with Training and Concern
Springfield, Ohio, is preparing for a possible surge in immigration enforcement activity targeting Haitian immigrants, as Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians is set to expire on February 4, 2026. While officials have not confirmed an imminent operation, residents, community leaders, and school officials are taking steps to prepare for potential impacts.
The anxiety stems from the impending end of TPS, a program that has allowed roughly 300,000 Haitians, including an estimated 12,000-15,000 in Springfield, to legally reside in the United States due to humanitarian crises in their home country. The Trump administration announced the termination of TPS for Haitians in November 2025, and the expiration date is rapidly approaching, despite ongoing legal challenges.
On Thursday night, January 29, 2026, residents gathered at Zion Hill Baptist Church for a “know your rights” and tactical training session, learning how to respond to potential encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Attendees were provided with plastic whistles – three quick blasts to signal distress, and one long blast if witnessing an abduction – as part of the training. The event reflects a growing sense of urgency and fear within the community.
Concerns extend beyond the potential for deportations. Some residents expressed fear of racial profiling, with one woman sharing that her 12-year-old grandson is “scared to death” walking to and from school, worried about being mistaken for an undocumented immigrant. “I’m concerned about my family getting caught up in it because of our color,” she said, requesting to be identified only as Joyce.
City officials are responding to the heightened anxiety. The Springfield City Commission unanimously passed a resolution on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, encouraging ICE agents to wear visible identification and refrain from using masks during enforcement actions. Mayor Rob Rue, a Republican, emphasized that the city has “no confirmed information regarding immigration enforcement activity,” but acknowledged the need to prepare.
A meeting between city officials and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine revealed discussion of a potential 30-day “enforcement window” beginning February 4, 2026. Springfield City Schools Superintendent Bob Hill shared details of this meeting in a memo to staff, but later clarified that the information was limited and did not represent specific operational details from the governor’s office. The school district is preparing for a potential surge in activity, aiming to maintain normal schedules and routines while supporting students and families.
Local organizations are also mobilizing. St. Vincent de Paul has been assisting families with obtaining passports for their U.S. Citizen children, facilitating potential travel or providing documentation should families become separated. The Haitian Community Help and Support Center, founded in 2023, is providing food assistance to families who are choosing to remain home due to fear of enforcement.
The NAACP held a town hall meeting in early December 2025, focusing on preparation for mass deportations. Discussions centered on legal rights, emergency planning, and the potential impact on children, with estimates suggesting approximately 1,300 U.S. Citizen children and 1,500 Haitian children attend Springfield City Schools and could be affected.
Advocates are distributing “know your rights” materials, including guidance for schools on how to respond to ICE agents and information on legal resources. One document advises school staff to require ICE to present a warrant and verify its validity before granting access to school grounds.
However, not all residents support the efforts to assist those facing potential deportation. Some, like Ken “Barron” Seelig, have expressed concern about the influx of Haitian immigrants and the strain on local resources. Seelig, who ran for mayor in 2025, criticized the training sessions aimed at resisting ICE and voiced fears about potential unrest.
Despite the uncertainty, a sense of apprehension pervades the community. Viles Dorsainvil, executive director of the Haitian Community Help and Support Center, described the atmosphere as one of “constant fear,” adding, “You become powerless in a situation like this.” The coming weeks will be critical as Springfield awaits potential action from ICE and navigates the complex challenges posed by the expiration of TPS for Haitian immigrants.
