Springfield Braces for Potential ICE Raid, Community Responds with “Know Your Rights” Training
Amidst growing fears of imminent immigration enforcement, the city of Springfield, Ohio, is preparing for a potential large-scale ICE operation targeting its significant Haitian population, despite a lack of official confirmation.
The atmosphere in Springfield is thick with anxiety. On Thursday, January 29, 2026, residents gathered at Zion Hill Baptist Church for a training session focused on navigating potential encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Attendees were even equipped with plastic orange “ICE whistles” – three quick blasts to signal an ICE presence, and a long blast to indicate a kidnapping, according to those present.
The preparation stems from a deep-seated fear within the community. One woman, identified only as Joyce, shared her grandson’s terror of being racially profiled while walking to and from school, fearing he could be mistaken for an undocumented Haitian immigrant. “I’m concerned about my family getting caught up in it because of our color,” she said, adding, “I’m afraid to leave my house. This is the first time I’ve done so today.”
City officials estimate that over 12,000 Haitians reside in Springfield, making them a focal point of potential enforcement. Advocates and local leaders are deeply concerned that a large-scale operation could lead to widespread family separations and overwhelm local social services. These worries are compounded by recent events in Minneapolis, where federal agents fatally shot two protesters during immigration enforcement, sparking national outrage and scrutiny.
Despite the palpable anxiety, ICE has not publicly announced any planned enforcement action and did not respond to requests for comment. However, the lack of official denial hasn’t quelled the growing sense of dread.
Last Tuesday, the Springfield city commission unanimously passed a resolution urging ICE agents to refrain from wearing masks and to visibly display identification badges during any enforcement activities. Mayor Rob Rue, a Republican, acknowledged the community’s concerns but emphasized that the city has “no confirmed information regarding immigration enforcement activity.” He cautioned that even if advance notice is received, it could be on the very day of the operation.
The current wave of concern is also tied to the impending expiration of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 300,000 Haitians – including those in Springfield – on February 3. Originally granted to Haitian immigrants fleeing humanitarian crises, the Trump administration announced its termination in November. While the decision is currently facing legal challenges, its potential implementation has fueled uncertainty and fear within the community.
Viles Dorsainvil, executive director of the Haitian Community Help and Support Center, founded in 2023, reports that many Haitian immigrants are choosing to “lay low,” avoiding unnecessary outings and, in some cases, even leaving the area. The center, along with other organizations, is providing food assistance to those sheltering in place. “They are living in constant fear because of the situation,” Dorsainvil said, “And it’s not good for the folks to be living in that constant fear, not knowing what to do. You become powerless in a situation like this.”
In early December, the local NAACP chapter hosted a town hall meeting, “Preparations for Mass Deportations,” drawing over 100 attendees. Speakers included Mayor Rue and representatives from the school district, health department, and police department. A key concern raised was the potential for children to be separated from their parents. Local health officials estimate that roughly 1,300 U.S. citizen children have been born to Haitian parents in Springfield since 2021, and another 1,500 Haitian children comprise approximately 20% of the city’s school enrollment, making them particularly vulnerable.
St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic charity, has begun assisting families by obtaining passports for the 1,300 U.S. citizen children, facilitating potential travel with their parents or providing practical documentation should they remain in the U.S. “I don’t want to see children martyred in this,” said Casey Rollins, the organization’s executive director, echoing fears of a repeat of the tragic events in Minneapolis.
Clark County health officials report that some families are proactively planning to take their children with them if deported, while others are making arrangements for them to stay with friends or family, recognizing the dangerous conditions in Haiti. However, there are concerns about the limited capacity of the county’s foster care system – with only about 20 certified foster families – to accommodate children potentially left without parents.
Efforts to prepare the community extend to legal education. Katie Kersh, an immigration attorney with Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, has shared “know your rights” materials in multiple languages, including Haitian Creole, advising residents on how to interact with ICE agents and schools on how to respond to potential ICE presence on campus.
While the majority of the community appears supportive of the Haitian population, some residents have voiced criticism of the organizing efforts and support for stricter immigration enforcement. Ken “Barron” Seelig, a local homeless advocate, expressed concern over the resources being allocated to support undocumented immigrants, claiming it contributes to a local housing shortage. Despite his reservations, Seelig acknowledged the potential for a volatile situation, stating, “It’s a sad state of affairs, and I think it’s going to get really, really out of control.”
As Springfield awaits potential action, the community remains on edge, grappling with fear, uncertainty, and a determination to protect its most vulnerable members.
