Ways to Help Support Haitian People of Springfield, OH

Background

On July 27, 2026 the Temporary Protected Status for people from Haiti and Syria was terminated. TPS is designed specifically to protect legal residents from being forced back into countries suffering from catastrophic conflict, natural disasters or extraordinary violence. There 10,000-12,000 Haitians in Springfield (approx. 20% of Springfield’s population).

The US House voted to extend and restore the TPS for Haiti on April 16, 2026.

There is now a bill being considered in the US Senate, S 4814, to reinstate Temporary Protective Status (TPS) to Haitians in the US.  If you are interested, you can contact Ohio’s US Senators:

Bernie Moreno - https://www.moreno.senate.gov/contact/share-your-opinion/ 

Jon Husted - https://www.husted.senate.gov/contact/contact-jon/ 

Without legal status or work authorization, thousands of people face immediate disruptions to basic survival—food, rent, utilities, and healthcare. Because enforcement tactics have created severe fear and confusion, many families are terrified to leave their front doors even to buy essentials. Frontline groups like St. Vincent de Paul, The Nehemiah Foundation (https://nehemiahfoundation.org/) , and the Haitian Support Center (https://haitiansupportcenter.org/) are working around the clock to distribute food, rent assistance, and basic supplies, but the humanitarian scale is overwhelming.

Please consider making a donation to these organizations. Here is more information about The St Vincent de Paul of Springfield (The https://svdpspfld.org/)

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul – Springfield Region is 501(c)3 nonprofit organization focused on caring for the poor. We provide assistance with independent living (i.e. food, rent, utilities, furniture, beds, appliances, medical needs, transitional shelter, and countless forms of advocacy). We expedite on-site emergency walk-in assistance for supportive housing referrals; paying for I.D.’s, birth certificates, and work boots. We provide monthly food pantry support and thrift store clothing and household voucher programs. We implement-systemic change initiatives with poverty relief and advocacy; assisting neighbors with benefits enrollment, educational needs, agency referrals, and criminal re-entry services.

We  also offer walk-in services and various resources for Haitian immigrants needing interpretation and community navigation. This helps Haitians acclimate and to comply with immigration necessities. (i.e Temporary Protected Status, asylum applications, and work permits). We offer legal immigration clinics to expand services for additional immigration requirements and connect immigrants to jobs when possible. We also collaborate with other non-profits, faith-based organizations, and local service agencies to echo the voices of our marginalized neighbors.

“Pope Francis urged us to see migrants not simply as a problem to be managed, but as a living image of the People of God on the move. They are people with dignity, resources, and dreams, who have the right to be treated with respect”

-Pope Leo XIV – Magnifica Humanitas