Lead
Jan. 30, 2026 — Federal immigration enforcement under the Trump administration is reportedly preparing operations in Ohio that could begin as early as next week, with Haitian immigrants expected to be a primary focus. The planning follows the scheduled expiration of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti on Feb. 3, when an estimated more than 330,000 people will lose protected status. Local leaders in Springfield, Ohio — home to roughly 12,000 to 15,000 Haitian residents — say communities are bracing for enforcement activity and organizing legal and logistical support. State and federal officials have given limited public detail about the timing, personnel or scope of any deployment.
Key Takeaways
- Reports indicate ICE may begin operations in Ohio as early as next week, focused on Haitian immigrants after TPS for Haiti expires on Feb. 3, 2026.
- More than 330,000 people with TPS for Haiti are estimated to lose their status when the program ends, according to Department of Homeland Security actions taken last year.
- Springfield, Ohio has an estimated 12,000–15,000 Haitian residents; community groups there are preparing legal, transport and family-coordination resources.
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem terminated TPS for Haiti last year; the department has provided limited immediate comment on this reported Ohio operation.
- Local and state officials — including Gov. Mike DeWine’s office — say they have no confirmed details about a planned ICE deployment.
- Recent enforcement surges elsewhere, including a highly publicized Minnesota operation and activity in Maine with more than 200 arrests, provide precedent and heightened concern among immigrant communities.
- Organizations are preparing informational materials and videos to advise people who may be detained and possibly separated from family members.
Background
Temporary Protected Status for Haiti was ended by the Department of Homeland Security last year; the change leaves an estimated more than 330,000 beneficiaries facing the loss of protected status on Feb. 3, 2026. TPS has been used in past years to shield nationals from countries affected by disasters or conflict, and its termination often triggers urgent planning by advocates, lawyers and local authorities. The reported shift in enforcement focus to Ohio follows a series of high-profile operations in other states that drew national attention and local pushback.
Springfield, Ohio, has been singled out in political rhetoric since the 2024 campaign: President Donald Trump and then-candidate Vice President JD Vance made the community a campaign stop, and local Haitian residents say the period since the election has been marked by heightened anxiety. Community organizations, legal aid groups and municipal authorities now face the task of preparing rapid-response systems for detentions, family reunification and know-your-rights outreach. At the state level, Gov. Mike DeWine has told reporters he lacks confirmed information about any ICE plans to deploy to Springfield.
Main Event
Four people familiar with planning told MS NOW that the administration is eyeing Ohio for enforcement operations that could begin imminently; those sources said Haitian immigrants are expected to be a primary target. The reporting did not include a confirmed count of federal immigration agents nor a disclosed operational blueprint, leaving local officials and advocates to prepare for multiple scenarios. DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reported plans.
In Springfield, the Haitian Support Center and other local groups say they are organizing legal counsel, transportation assistance and outreach for households that may be reluctant to leave their homes. Executive director Viles Dorsainvil told MS NOW his organization is producing a guidance video for people who could be detained and for families concerned about separation. Local police officials say they are engaged with federal partners but have no public confirmation of a deployment plan.
The reported Ohio focus comes after recent enforcement actions elsewhere: a widely covered operation in Minnesota and a subsequent surge in Maine where several hundred federal agents reportedly detained more than 200 individuals. DHS described those arrests as targeting “egregious criminal alien offenders,” while some legislators and local officials negotiated changes to the deployment tempo. The department has signaled it intends to continue nationwide enforcement, even as lawmakers and communities press for transparency and limits on operations.
Analysis & Implications
If ICE moves forward with the reported Ohio operation, the immediate legal consequence for many Haitian nationals will hinge on the Feb. 3 TPS expiration. Without TPS protections, individuals may face detention and removal proceedings unless they qualify for other immigration relief. That shift could rapidly increase docket loads in immigration courts and place strain on local legal services organizations attempting to mount defenses or secure stays.
Politically, an Ohio operation would play into broader debates about federal enforcement priorities and the use of high-visibility sweeps. Targeting communities that were focal points during the 2024 campaign could further polarize public opinion and intensify scrutiny from state officials and advocacy groups. Local governments must balance cooperation on public safety with protecting community trust and ensuring access to emergency services.
Economically and socially, actions that remove workers or separate families can disrupt local labor markets, schools and healthcare access. Springfield’s Haitian community, estimated at 12,000–15,000 residents, supports small businesses, faith institutions and social networks; large-scale detentions would have ripple effects on employers, service providers and children’s welfare. Nationally, similar operations have prompted legal challenges and calls for oversight, which can lead to short-term operational pauses or policy reviews.
Comparison & Data
| Item | Estimate/Count |
|---|---|
| Haitian TPS beneficiaries losing status | More than 330,000 |
| Haitian residents in Springfield, Ohio | 12,000–15,000 |
| Arrests reported in recent Maine operation | More than 200 |
The figures above frame potential scale: over 330,000 people nationwide stand to lose TPS protections, while a single municipal community like Springfield contains thousands of affected residents. Recent enforcement in Maine produced more than 200 arrests, a concrete benchmark for what federal agencies have described as targeted operations. Comparisons suggest that even a focused Ohio deployment could affect hundreds of people locally and amplify legal and humanitarian needs.
Reactions & Quotes
“We pray for the best but we are preparing for the worst.”
Viles Dorsainvil, Executive Director, Haitian Support Center (local community organization)
Dorsainvil framed community preparations as pragmatic: assembling legal teams, transportation and videos to guide families through potential detentions and separations. The quote captures the mix of hope and urgency described by local advocates, who say outreach will emphasize know-your-rights information and child-safety planning.
“We do not have any information or confirmation regarding a deployment plan.”
Karen Graves, City of Springfield spokesperson (municipal official)
The city spokesperson said local police are “proactively engaged” with federal partners but reiterated that no formal deployment details have been shared publicly. That lack of confirmation has increased pressure on municipal leaders to prepare contingency services without clear timelines.
“The department will continue to enforce the law across the country,”
Department of Homeland Security (federal agency statement)
DHS has presented recent detentions as enforcement of immigration statutes against individuals alleged to be criminal offenders. The department’s public stance underscores its intent to pursue nationwide actions even as specific operation plans remain opaque.
Unconfirmed
- Exact start date and authorized personnel numbers for any Ohio enforcement deployment remain unconfirmed by DHS.
- Specific targeting criteria and whether arrests would be limited to individuals with criminal records are not publicly detailed.
- Reports that operations will be limited to Springfield, rather than other Ohio communities, have not been independently verified.
Bottom Line
The reported plan to move immigration enforcement operations into Ohio, timed around the Feb. 3 expiration of TPS for Haiti, could create immediate legal and humanitarian needs for thousands of people — both in Springfield and nationally. With more than 330,000 beneficiaries affected by the TPS termination, local legal services and community groups are likely to be overwhelmed without additional resources or coordinated state support.
Transparency from federal authorities about scope, criteria and safeguards will be crucial to limit community harm and ensure due process. Observers should watch for official DHS announcements, local coordination efforts, and any legal challenges that could alter or pause enforcement actions in the coming days and weeks.
Sources
- MS NOW — news outlet reporting on planned operations and local responses.