SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – As President Donald Trump took the stage for his inaugural address on Monday, some residents of Springfield, deeply involved in immigration discussions, viewed the event from a local Haitian restaurant.

The Haitian community in Springfield is in the U.S. legally, with many holding temporary protected status, which could potentially be revoked by Trump.

They have been bracing for this moment since September, when Vice President JD Vance made unfounded allegations that Haitian immigrants were resorting to eating pets.

During a presidential debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump echoed these claims. Following his remarks, the city of 60,000 faced bomb threats and decreased school attendance due to the heightened media focus.

Reflecting on the inauguration, resident Dina Paul expressed a sense of unease but felt reassured by the local community’s support after Trump’s remarks.

“Most of the local people understood the reality and rallied behind us,” she shared.

Paul, who temporarily resides in Springfield during tax season and assists Haitian residents with job applications, mentioned that the primary concern among them is their temporary protected status, which is granted to immigrants from nations experiencing dangerous conditions, such as natural disasters or conflict. In June, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas extended Haiti’s status until February 2026.

Paul noted that residents continue to feel the backing of Springfield’s community, appreciating Haitian culture, especially when people dine at the Rose Goute Creole restaurant for Haitian cuisine.

Workshops on Interactions with ICE

Vilés Dorsainvil, the executive director of the Haitian Community Help and Support Center, mentioned he has talked to friends anxious about both the inauguration and Trump’s return to power.

“There seems to be a shift in attitudes: previously, there was more name-calling; now it has evolved into warnings like ‘You need to start packing because Trump is back,'” Dorsainvil stated.

He shared that some Haitian individuals have faced hostility, being told to “pack their bags” while simply walking in the street.

To help, the Haitian Support Center has been organizing workshops to educate residents about their rights and what steps to take in the face of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Dorsainvil highlighted how these sessions prepare individuals to request legal representation or verify a warrant if confronted by an ICE agent at their home.

The training also emphasizes the right to remain silent and how to assign a guardian for children in case of detention.

“We began preparations long before today,” Dorsainvil remarked on Monday.

He expressed gratitude for the support he feels from Springfield’s local officials and the Springfield Neighbors United group.

“There have been numerous events aimed at showing solidarity. Such efforts help ease tensions and instill a sense of hope among immigrants,” he added.

Demonstration in Support of Immigrants

On Monday, a small group of protesters traveled from Cleveland to demonstrate their support for Haitian immigrants in the cold at a busy intersection in Springfield. One driver yelled derogatory remarks as he passed by.

Springfield resident Clara Copeland visited the protest and noted that while she doesn’t perceive significant tension in the city, she has observed a retreat among Haitian residents following the viral posts in September.

“What struck me the most – living on the south side, I used to see children playing outside. After the national spotlight, the Haitian community largely stayed indoors,” she reflected.

Erin Glynn is a reporter for News Network Ohio Bureau, serving the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal, among 18 other affiliated news outlets throughout Ohio.