Springfield sees influx of 15,000 Haitian immigrants seeking job opportunities

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (WKEF) – Around 15,000 Haitian immigrants are now living in the Springfield area and, with this dramatic influx in population, many are wondering why they have chosen to live here.

Governor Dewine and the Haitian community say that one of the biggest reasons is job opportunities.

“They are kind of looking for a safe place where they can raise their family and get a job,” says Viles Dorsainvil, President of the Haitian Community Help and Support Center in Springfield. “As human beings, we all have the instinct of survival.”

Within the past 3 years, thousands of Haitian immigrants have fled their native country, due to increased political violence, and have moved to Springfield, OH.

“They came to Springfield, Ohio for work,” said Governor Dewine. “Many of them are working and filling empty positions in Springfield.”

The Haitian Community Help and Support Center in Springfield serves the immigrants of Springfield by helping them adapt to American society and connect them to potential employers.

They say, a large portion of the Haitian immigrants in the area are working warehouse positions at companies like Amazon, McGregor Metalworks, and Topre America.

Dorsainvil continued, “Those employers are looking for workers. Many have come and they understand that they can get a job with them very quickly.”

“The Haitians who are here are hardworking people,” said Dewine. “They have families, they care about their families, and they care about their children.”

At this time, Governor Dewine is making it clear to US citizens that the immigrants in Springfield are here legally – under the Immigration Parole Program.

Through the program, these Haitian immigrants can apply for temporary protected status – which allows them to come to the US, get a job, and a place to live before officially becoming a US citizen.

Governor Dewine says that, beyond this program, the federal government needs to have a long-term strategy to ensure that the communities housing these immigrants do not crumble over time.

Dewine added, “I am not against this program. But what I do say, though, is that with this program, there has to be a plan. There has to be a plan to prevent situations like we are seeing.”

Governor Dewine has said before that the federal government policies on immigration have led to Springfield becoming overwhelmed with population.

He says that the state will do whatever they can to fix this situation, but without help from the federal government, their efforts may not be enough.