Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has announced the deployment of Ohio State Highway Patrol officers and a $2.5 million state aid package to Springfield, which has seen a significant increase in Haitian immigrants. While DeWine, a Republican, supports the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program that has brought around 20,000 Haitians to Springfield since 2020, he urged the federal government to provide more support to communities affected by the surge.
Starting Wednesday, state troopers will focus on patrolling areas in Springfield with high traffic accident rates. This move follows concerns that some Haitian immigrants may be unfamiliar with U.S. driving laws, contributing to local crashes. Troopers will enforce road safety measures and crack down on dangerous driving.
The $2.5 million in state funding will be spread over two years, with much of it directed toward improving healthcare access in the community. DeWine noted that the influx of migrants has placed additional pressure on healthcare services, education, and road safety, with longer wait times at clinics, increased traffic, and overcrowded classrooms becoming pressing concerns.
DeWine also criticized the federal government for its lack of a comprehensive plan to manage the influx of migrants in cities like Springfield, Findlay, and Lima. He pledged that Ohio would continue to support affected communities and address the challenges they face.
Springfield has become a flashpoint in the national debate over immigration and border policies. Many of the Haitian migrants arrived through the Biden administration’s Cuba-Haiti-Nicaragua-Venezuela (CHNV) parole program, which was briefly paused by the Department of Homeland Security due to concerns over fraud.
Governor DeWine’s actions, including deploying state troopers and providing financial aid, are aimed at offering immediate relief to Springfield. However, long-term solutions will likely require collaboration between state and federal authorities to address the broader impacts of the migrant influx and ensure the well-being of all residents in the area.