Haitian detentions rise sharply in Ohio jails after TPS ends

A report by the Ohio Immigrant Alliance indicates a sharp increase in the detention of Haitian nationals in four Ohio jails following the end of Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Data analyzed from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shows that 63 Haitians were booked into the Butler County Jail, Mahoning County Justice Center, Seneca County Jail, and the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio between July 27 and August 31, compared to 26 individuals during the previous seven months.

The report highlights significant demographic shifts, noting that Haitian women rose from comprising 2% of the female immigrant population in these facilities to 39% in August. Additionally, the median age of detained Haitian-Americans is 39, which is six years older than the average for detained immigrants.

Advocacy groups, including the Haitian Bridge Alliance and Springfield 937 ICE Watch, have raised concerns regarding the legality and necessity of these arrests. Springfield 937 ICE Watch noted that only 8% of Haitians detained from Springfield had active removal orders. Lynn Tramonte, executive director of the Ohio Immigrant Alliance, criticized the practice of placing individuals without criminal charges into county jails.