The city of Springfield, Ohio, recently gained national attention due to false rumors circulating on social media claiming that Haitian immigrants were eating local pets.
The rumors were further fueled by former President Donald Trump, who repeated them during a presidential debate.
Despite these controversial claims, U.S. Sen.-elect Bernie Moreno reassured the public that Haitian immigrants in the area will be allowed to stay until their Temporary Protected Status TPS expires on February 3, 2026.
Moreno addressed the situation at the Ohio Republican Party headquarters in Columbus, stating, “They’re under temporary protected status.
That status is good until February of ’26. That’s the law. We’re going to respect that.” He emphasized that while the status will not be altered, employers who rely on Haitian workers should have been planning for their eventual departure, given the temporary nature of the status.
The Haitian immigrant population in Springfield is estimated to be between 10,000 and 15,000, and their presence has sparked discussions about the town’s economic future.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine previously expressed concerns about potential negative impacts on the local economy if these immigrants were deported, especially considering the area’s recent economic gains tied to their labor.