SPRINGFIELD — Today, Haitian Immigrants and other community members started their 4-day, over 40-mile march to the statehouse in Columbus.
They are demanding lawmakers permanently allow Haitian Immigrants to stay in the U.S.
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In July, the Supreme Court ruled to end Temporary Protected Status.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) ramped up enforcement operations to arrest and deport Haitian immigrants all over the country, including in the Miami Valley.
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As reported on News Center 7 at 5:00 p.m., early Wednesday morning, Springfield’s City Plaza became the meeting spot for dozens of people showing support for the Haitians living in Springfield.
Haitian Immigrants stood at a podium saying they were let into this country and that they want to stay.
The leader of the First Haitian Evangelical Church in Springfield, Pastor Reginald Silencieux, spoke in Creole using a translator.
“We are people who work hard, we pay our bills, we are honest people, and we are here to participate in the development and the growth of Springfield,” Pastor Silencieux said.
The nonprofit organization, Undivided, has been working with the Haitian Community on this march for months.
“The first three days will be 13, 12, then we’ll do a shorter walk on Saturday into Columbus,” Troy Jackson, the Executive Director of Undivided, said.
Jackson said they have four key demands for lawmakers.
- Permanent protected status for Haitian people
- To get ICE out of Springfield
- An official end to the ankle monitor program
- The return of detained Haitian immigrants to their families
“There’s growing boldness that the thing that is not going to serve the Haitian community is to shrink and hide. It’s to recognize the agency along with partners - to actually lift voices and bring change. We’ve seen some of that change; we have a lot longer path to go, and this pilgrimage is to lift that voice,” Jackson said.
News Center 7 will continue following this story.
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