# Death of Haitian student following TPS termination

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/death-of-haitian-student-following-tps-termination
> Updated: 2026-09-03T19:48:00.000Z. Sources: 41. Developments: 2.

Pierre Damas Bel, a 20-year-old Haitian honors student at Wright State University, died in Springfield, Ohio, after walking into westbound traffic on Interstate 70. While the Ohio State Highway Patrol reported he exited his vehicle and was struck by a tractor-trailer, his family and advocates believe the incident was a suicide.

Bel’s death followed the loss of his Temporary Protected Status (TPS), resulting from a Supreme Court decision that ruled Department of Homeland Security decisions to end TPS for Haiti and Syria are not subject to judicial review. Following this loss, Bel was fitted with a GPS ankle monitor by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). His father alleged that the device was a primary factor in his son’s distress, noting that Bel had requested its removal multiple times to participate in JROTC activities and college soccer. The monitor also reportedly contributed to Bel losing his roster spot at Wittenberg University.

Local religious leaders, including Pastor Carl Ruby of Central Christian Church, have linked the tragedy to U.S. immigration policy and the termination of the Haiti TPS designation. In response to the death, a GoFundMe campaign launched by Barbara Fidler has raised over $9,000 to assist the family with counseling and funeral expenses.

## Claims

- The ICE ankle monitor was a primary factor in the death of 20-year-old Pierre Damas Bel. (disputed by 4 sources)
- Pierre Damas Bel died after walking into oncoming traffic on Interstate 70 and being struck by a tractor-trailer. (disputed)
- Bel experienced bullying from classmates at Wright State University related to his ankle monitor. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Barbara Fidler launched a GoFundMe campaign to support Bel's family with funeral and counseling expenses. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The ankle monitor caused Bel to lose his roster spot at Wittenberg University. (single source)
- The US Supreme Court ruled that DHS decisions to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti and Syria are not subject to judicial review. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-03: Pierre Damas Bel dies in Ohio following loss of TPS status

Haitian student Pierre Damas Bel died in Ohio following an apparent suicide. His family attributes the tragedy to bullying and the psychological impact of an ICE ankle monitor after the loss of TPS status.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/haitian-student-pierre-damas-bel-dies-in-ohio-following-loss-of-tps-status

### 2026-09-01: Pierre Damas Bel dies in Ohio after losing TPS status

Haitian honors student Pierre Damas Bel died by apparent suicide in Ohio after losing Temporary Protected Status and being required to wear an ICE ankle monitor, which his family says caused him deep shame.

35 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/haitian-student-dies-in-ohio-amid-distress-over-ice-ankle-monitor

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Cite as: Death of Haitian student following TPS termination. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/death-of-haitian-student-following-tps-termination