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"The federal officials are now telling us that they do not have any plans, they've received no instructions, to have any kind of raids in Springfield," Gov. Mike DeWine told Statehouse News Bureau last week. "Now, that can change, but they did tell us they've heard nothing."
Given how vocal DeWine has been about the federal government making a mistake with its planned end to temporary protected status for thousands of Haitians in the Buckeye State, it's possible immigrations officials just don't want to tip their hand.
Still, it's possible they are listening to DeWine, who for months has been critical of federal plans that would affect as many as 15,000 Haitians who sought refuge in Springfield alone.
Removing that many members of the community would also deeply affect Springfield.
“I think it is a mistake,” DeWine said. “I think that the people who come here to work, the Haitians who came to Springfield, were filling jobs that had not been filled before. They are part of the resurgence of Springfield.”
Of course, some Haitians who sought refuge here are also struggling with what to do with their Ohio-born children, who are rightfully U.S. citizens.
“I’m having conversations with a family today who are wrestling with that issue," Carl Ruby, senior pastor of Central Christian Church and founder of G92, a coalition of faith-based groups working with immigrants, told Statehouse News. "And that’s the dilemma that families face. Do I leave my children and lose contact with them, or do I take them to a place where we are going to be, potential targets of violence?"
Ruby also said he believes those Haitians who do return to their native country will "have a mark on their backs."
There are approximately 30,000 Haitians living in central Ohio. For most of them, their flight to the U.S. was a legal one; and their change in status is not their own fault, but because of some people in Washington, D.C., changed their minds.
A little compassion, a little empathy and just a pinch of common sense and decency SHOULD be all that is required to see DeWine -- the governor of the state where these people have been living and contributing, who is in regular contact with the communities in which they live -- is right. How wonderful it would be if someone would listen.