One may well ask, what kind of dignity and respect are we exhibiting as a quarter of this city’s residents now fear to move about?
On Wednesday, the mayor of Springfield, Ohio confirmed that federal agents are arresting Haitian immigrants in his city.
Roughly 15,000 Haitians live in Springfield — about a quarter of the city. Most arrived legally under Temporary Protected Status, a program Congress created in 1990. The Trump administration terminated Haiti’s designation last November. On June 25, the Supreme Court ruled six to three that courts lack the power to review that decision. Protection for 330,000 Haitians nationwide ended July 27.
Three weeks later, the arrests began. Community leaders count at least fifteen people detained by agents who have been in the city almost daily for more than a week. More than one hundred others were summoned to immigration offices and fitted with electronic ankle monitors. Local pastor Carl Ruby, who accompanies Haitians to their check-ins, says none of those detained have been accused of crimes. “Their real goal is to incite fear,” Ruby said.
One legal permanent resident says agents followed him from his apartment to a grocery store parking lot and boxed in his car with three unmarked vehicles.
Mayor Rob Rue is asking residents to “treat everyone with dignity and respect.”
One may well ask, what kind of dignity and respect are we exhibiting as a quarter of this city’s residents now fear to move about?
Notes To My Future Self 