Why are the Citizens of Springfield Concerned?: The TPS Migrant Influx
Many are discouraged at how local leaders and NGOs were somehow invested in this surge of TPS Migrants to our City. Take race and ethnicity out of the equation and look only at the facts. First, in 2018 Haiti had a population of 11 million and in comparison, Cuba had 11.3 Million, and the Dominican Republic had 10.3 million. Jovenel Moïse was Haiti's 43rd president from 2017 until his assassination in 2021. During his term, Haiti experienced widespread protests. In the early morning of 7 July 2021, Jovenel Moïse was assassinated. By 2023 Haiti's population was 11.7 million an increase of 700K. The reason for the many Haitians leaving was due to 80% of the country being controlled by gangs. There is political instability, no leadership in charge, and the 2022 Joe Biden administration pledged to provide financial support for a UN-authorized, Kenya-led multinational force to fight Haiti’s powerful gangs, Hence the TPS Status. As of 2022, nearly 731,000 Haitian immigrants resided in the United States. Relocating to America is nothing new. Following the end of the Vietnam War, a large number of refugees from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos fled to the United States. Cuban Refugees (since the Cuban Revolution in 1959) have led to multiple waves of Cuban refugees seeking asylum in the United States due to political persecution. Refugees from the former Soviet Union and Yugoslavia (1990s) came to America after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia most refugees were seeking asylum in the United States. Ongoing conflicts and instability in the Middle East and parts of Africa have resulted in a significant number of refugees such as; from Somalia, Iraq, and Afghanistan seeking asylum in the United States, since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, which is the largest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II. Millions of Ukrainians have been forced to flee their homes due to the ongoing conflict and some came to America. So why is Haitian TPS different from the rest? Much concerns the sheer numbers of Haitians impacting Cities like Springfield. When talking about Cuba, Somalia, and Iraq most assimilated in cities where their culture existed. The distribution of Refugee Populations in the U.S. historically saw refugee populations often settle in cities with pre-existing communities from their countries of origin. For example:
Cuban Refugees: Primarily settled in Miami, Tampa, New York, and Union City, New Jersey.
Somali Refugees: Dispersed across cities like Minneapolis, Columbus, Lewiston (Maine), San Diego, and Seattle.
Vietnamese Refugees: Concentrated in San Jose, Garden Grove, and San Diego (California).
Cambodian Refugees: Many settled in Long Beach and Fresno (California).
Laotian Refugees: Many settled in San Diego, Fresno, and Sacramento (California).
As for the TPS Haitian population, the largest percentage of the Haitian census based on the total city population is Springfield, Ohio, and Washington, Indiana. This is a stark difference from the 1-million-plus population cities where other refugees relocated. The relocation of Haitians to cities and towns with no Haitian familiarity or pre-existing culture was absent. According to ABC News reports the city with the highest percentage of Haitian TPS immigrants based on city population is Springfield, Ohio. The city's Haitian population is estimated to make up a significant portion of its total population, reaching around 20% in some estimates. There is some unknown pull encouraging Haitian TPS to migrate to Springfield, Ohio. What is unknown is that Springfield Ohio has been the Violence and Drug capital of Ohio. In 2015 Springfield led the State of Ohio in Violent crime (per capita) and today is among the top five cities. Springfield led the State in the number of unintentional fentanyl poisonings from 2018 to 2021 (per capita). Springfields' Domestic Violence, Rape, and Sexual Assaults were among the top (per capita) in the State of Ohio between 2018 to 2024. Springfield gun violence and Murder rates were also exceedingly high in this time frame. Springfield’s housing and infrastructure between 2015 and 2022 was in serious decline. What is the allure of Haitians to migrate to Springfield? Who’s behind this influx to a small city with four seasons which is very different from Haiti?
Part I of 3, Check in Tuesday Feb 18, 2025 for “the rest of the story”
Beth Donahue
The Blame Game: Who Wins in Haiti's Crisis?
The art of deception, often referred to as bluffing, plays a crucial role in high-stakes situations. In poker, a player with a weak hand can manipulate perceptions by betting aggressively, giving the impression of strength. This tactic hinges on the ability to read opponents and exploit their uncertainties. Similarly, the discourse surrounding Haitian migration to Springfield often resembles a high-stakes poker game. Citizens point fingers at city leaders, who, in turn, deflect responsibility, citing the limits of their authority over federal immigration policies. This, however, appears to be a calculated bluff. While the city may not directly control federal actions, their role in local resource allocation and community integration cannot be dismissed. The lack of transparency and historical context surrounding Haitian migration raises questions about the true motivations behind this deflection, prompting a call to "show their hand."
A Legacy of Turmoil: From Duvalier to the Earthquake
Understanding the current crisis requires an examination of Haiti's turbulent past. François "Papa Doc" Duvalier's reign (1957-1971) was characterized by a cult of personality, the exploitation of Vodou traditions for political gain, and brutal repression, with estimates of political opponents murdered reaching as high as 60,000 if not more. His son, Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier, succeeded him (1971-1986), continuing the legacy of authoritarian rule, corruption, and widespread poverty. The period following Baby Doc's departure in 1986 has been marked by political instability, coups, and a revolving door of leaders. This instability, coupled with endemic corruption, has severely hampered Haiti's development.
The devastating 2010 earthquake further exacerbated Haiti's vulnerabilities, creating opportunities for exploitation. The Clinton Foundation's involvement in post-earthquake relief efforts has been the subject of considerable scrutiny. While the Foundation claims to have raised millions for Haiti, questions remain about the efficacy and transparency of their projects. Allegations of "pay-to-play" schemes, where contracts were awarded to donors and friends of the Clintons, raise serious concerns about the prioritization of personal interests over the needs of the Haitian people. Dinesh D’Souza's assessment that "Haitian welfare is not their priority" encapsulates the skepticism surrounding the Clintons' involvement. Reports of underperforming projects, coupled with the continued struggles of the Haitian people, underscore the complex and often problematic role of international aid in Haiti.
The ongoing crisis in Haiti, marked by gang violence and political paralysis following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, has created a climate of desperation. The lack of basic necessities, coupled with the breakdown of law and order, has fueled migration flows, including those to Springfield.
Timeline of Haiti’s destruction:
We must go back in time to come forward to the present. François "Papa Doc" Duvalier ruled Haiti from 1957 to 1971. His son, Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier, proceeded to take over and rule from 1971 to 1986. "Papa Doc Duvalier” fostered his cult of personality and claimed that he was the physical embodiment of the island nation. He also revived the traditions of Vodou, later using them to consolidate his power with his claim of being a Vodou priest himself. Haiti's government was one of the most repressive in the Western Hemisphere. During his 14-year rule, he murdered and exiled numerous political opponents; estimates of those killed are as high as 60,000”. Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier, succeeded his father as the ruler of Haiti after his Dad died in 1971. "Baby Doc" assumed power, introduced cosmetic changes to his father's regime, and delegated much authority to his advisors. Thousands of Haitians were tortured and killed, and hundreds of thousands fled the country during his presidency. He maintained a notoriously lavish lifestyle (including a state-sponsored US $2 million wedding in 1980) while poverty among his people remained the most widespread of any country in the Western Hemisphere.
Since 1986, here is the list of Haitian Government Leaders:
Here is a list of the leaders of the Haitian government between 1986 and 2011:
Henri Namphy (1986-1988)
Leslie Manigat (1988)
Prosper Avril (1988-1990)
Ertha Pascal-Trouillot (1990-1991)
Jean-Bertrand Aristide (1991)
Joseph Nerette (1991-1992)
Marc Bazin (acting PM) (1992-1993)
Jean-Bertrand Aristide (1993-1996)
René1 Préval (1996-2000)
Jean-Bertrand Aristide (2000-2004)
Boniface Alexandre (2004-2006)
René Préval (2006-2011)
In 2010, a great earthquake impacted Haiti. The 7.0-magnitude earthquake devastated Haiti, killing an estimated 300,000 people. The earthquake presented many opportunities to exploit Haiti by the U.S. Democrats Bill and Hillary Clinton with their “Clinton Foundation. The foundation exploited many Haitians in need. Clinton Foundation-backed Haiti projects, after the 2010 earthquake in the country, didn't live up to expectations. Some involved the hiring of companies owned by foundation donors. Dinesh D’Souza concludes: “I wouldn’t go so far as to say the Clintons don’t care about Haiti. Yet it seems clear that Haitian welfare is not their priority. Their priority is, well, themselves. The Clintons seem to believe in Haitian reconstruction and investment as long as these projects match their private economic interests.” Bill Clinton was deeply involved in Haiti's relief efforts. He served as the United Nations special envoy to Haiti when Hillary Clinton was secretary of state, and, after the earthquake, teamed up with former President George H.W. Bush to form the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund. Bill also was co-chairman with then-Haiti Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive of the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission. The Clinton Foundation says it has raised more than $30 million for the country in 2010. In January 2016, a group of Haitians protested outside the Clinton Foundation offices in New York, saying Haiti hadn’t seen any benefit from earthquake aid money. The Washington Post reported in March 2015 on both successes of Clinton-backed projects, such as farming and an entrepreneurship center, and failures, such as an industrial park that hasn’t lived up to its billing in terms of job creation. Some Haitians, as evidenced by some projects in Haiti, would agree that Clinton-backed relief efforts didn’t do enough to help the poor. While others benefited from successful projects, that is evidence of a “pay-to-play” scheme. January 2016, six years after the earthquake, the Clinton Foundation, Bill Clinton, as head of the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission (IHRC), was responsible for $6 billion that came into his hands. He had unlimited control of this money. Six years after the earthquake, not much has changed, and Haiti is in worse condition than it was in 2010. The State Department under Hillary Clinton “directed contracts for the Haitian recovery effort to friends of the Clintons. The State Department worked with the Clinton Foundation to identify and assist friends of former President Bill Clinton who were offering help or seeking assistance in the days immediately following the Jan. 12, 2010, earthquake. At the time, Bill Clinton was U.N. special envoy to Haiti and Hillary Clinton was secretary of state. After Haiti's cataclysmic Jan. 12, 2010, earthquake. Bill Clinton led an effort to raise billions of dollars in aid, not all of which materialized. He promised that, under his watch as co-reconstruction czar, the country would be "building back better." Hillary Clinton made several visits to Haiti as secretary of state, including one with her husband to inaugurate an industrial park she championed. She recruited the park's main tenant. But the park didn't produce the 60,000 pledged jobs, and six years after the quake, Haiti has made little progress. Haiti is more than $2 billion in debt and preparing for a re-run of its 2015 presidential elections. It was noted that ABC News found out that Hillary Clinton’s senior aides directed contracts for the Haitian recovery effort after the terrible earthquake in Haiti to friends of the Clintons. Pay and play politics at its worst. In addition to being the U.N. special envoy to Haiti, Bill Clinton was also co-chairman with then-Haiti Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive of the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission in which Bill Clinton referred his friends to a USAID website set up for people who want to donate to help with international disasters. One company by name had ties to the Clinton Foundation. Digicel, a Jamaica-based telecom firm. With CEO Denis O’Brien, who identifies as a longtime donor to the Clinton Foundation. O’Brien gave between $10 million and $25 million to the foundation. After the 2010 earthquake, O’Brien was involved in commercial development projects including restoring the Iron Market and building a new Marriott, both in Port-au-Prince. The Clinton Foundation said that it “facilitated” the agreement between Marriott and Digicel for the construction of the hotel, which opened in 2015.
In 2016, The Wall Street Journal reported that under the Obama administration, ICE is holding over 40,000 Haitian people, and ICE reported that this year (2016) more than 5,000 Haitian immigrants have already crossed the Mexican border with hopes of entering the U.S. Once Haitian immigrants seeking asylum present themselves at U.S. ports of entry, they’re usually handed over to ICE and detained until they can be deported, according to the newspaper.
Trump in 2017 is in an election battle with Hillary Clinton. Haitian Americans are already skeptical about Hillary Clinton. Many still feel seething anger toward Hillary Clinton and her husband/former President Bill Clinton over their political and philanthropic involvement in Haiti. In 2010, Hillary Clinton, then secretary of state, flew to Haiti and pressured then-President René Préval to remove his party's candidate, Jude Célestin, from the runoff. Some Haitians believe that the interference eventually led to the election of Michel Martelly, a controversial president who left office in May without an elected successor. The Clintons, who honeymooned in Haiti in 1975, have a political relationship with the country dating back more than 20 years when then-President Bill Clinton returned and aided the return of ousted Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to Haiti. During Bill’s presidency, The Clintons destroyed the rice in Haiti. Bill and Hillary Clinton also supported trade policies that wiped out Haiti's rice farming.
This brings us to Jovenel Moïse who was Haiti's 43rd president from 2017 until his assassination in 2021. During his term, Haiti experienced widespread protests. In the early morning of 7 July 2021, Jovenel Moïse was assassinated. Since then all hell has broken out in Haiti. As of today, 80% of the country is being controlled by gangs. There is political instability, no leadership in charge, and the 2022 Joe Biden administration pledged to provide financial support for a UN-authorized, Kenya-led multinational force to fight Haiti’s powerful gangs.
The Allure of Springfield: A Complex Web of Factors
Haiti's dire socio-economic conditions, including widespread poverty, limited access to education, and the persistence of exploitative systems like the restavek system, contribute significantly to outward migration.The World Bank estimates that 80% of the Haitian population lives on less than $2 per day. Dr. Diane Gorgas's observations about the correlation between nutrition, infectious disease, and cognitive development (IQ) highlight the profound challenges facing Haiti. These factors, combined with the instability and violence plaguing the nation, create a powerful impetus for Haitians to seek a better future elsewhere. The legal framework for Haitian migration to the U.S. is often facilitated through Temporary Protected Status (TPS). TPS offers temporary protection from deportation to individuals already present in the U.S. who are nationals of designated countries experiencing specific crises. It is crucial to understand that TPS is not a path to permanent residency and requires individuals to meet specific eligibility criteria and re-register periodically. The availability of TPS, while offering a temporary reprieve, does not address the root causes of Haitian migration. The question of "how did the Haitians get to Springfield?" is multifaceted. While TPS provides a legal avenue for some, other factors, such as family connections, social networks, and the perceived opportunities in Springfield, likely play a significant role. Understanding these complex motivations requires further investigation and a nuanced approach that moves beyond simplistic narratives.
Factors influencing behavior: psychological, social, cultural, environmental, and personal
First, Haiti is a nation lacking both mandatory education and a social safety net. Contaminated well water is all the majority of Haitians have to drink. The overwhelming majority of Haitians reaching the age of 17 have a fourth-grade education. The restavek system is a form of child slavery that exists in Haiti. Children, usually from poor families, are sent to live with wealthier families where they work as domestic servants. In exchange for their labor, they are supposed to receive food, shelter, and sometimes education. However, in many cases, restavek children are exploited and abused. They often work long hours, are denied education, and suffer physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. While significant efforts have been made to combat the restavek system in Haiti, it sadly persists in 2025. Haiti is a country where 80 percent of the population lives on less than $2 per day, according to the World Bank Group. Dr. Diane Gorgas, an emergency physician at the Ohio State University Medical Center stated in 2011 on a visit to Haiti “Research shows a strong correlation between a country’s nutritional status, the prevalence of infectious diseases, and its average national IQ. The world’s population has demonstrated an increase in IQ of about three points every 10 years. This phenomenon, known as the Flynn Effect, has been directly connected to the ability of a society to control and help eradicate pediatric infections. She goes on to say, “It is imperative that we continue to support efforts in developing countries to increase their standard of living, water safety, and general nutritional status if we expect them to develop into self-reliant nations”. Lastly, she states, “A local population with well-developed, strong brains empowers the potential for independence from financial benefactors such as the United States.” For seven days in February 2011, Dr. Diane Gorgas worked in a clinic in Fort Liberte, Haiti, where she and other medical volunteers treated nearly 1,000 Haitians.
As David Byrne (Talking Heads) said “Well, how did I get here?” from the song “Once in a Lifetime, the same must be asked, how did the Haitians get to Springfield? Below is the legal justification.
The U.S. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) application process is for people who are already present in the United States. You must be present in the U.S. to apply for TPS. You cannot apply from your home country or at a U.S. port of entry. The application process involves submitting Form I-821 and supporting evidence to USCIS.
1. Eligibility:
You must be a national of a country designated for TPS (or have no nationality and last habitually resided in a designated country). You must have been continuously physically present in the U.S. since the effective date of the most recent designation for your country. You must have continuously resided in the U.S. since a date specified by the Secretary of Homeland Security. You must meet other eligibility criteria, such as not being inadmissible to the U.S. for certain criminal or security reasons.
2. Application:
Once your country is designated for TPS, you can apply by submitting Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You'll need to provide evidence to support your application, such as proof of identity, nationality, and continuous residence in the U.S. There is a filing fee associated with the application, but fee waivers may be available for those who qualify.
3. Biometrics Appointment:
USCIS will likely schedule you for a biometrics appointment to collect your fingerprints and photographs.
4. Adjudication:
USCIS will review your application and evidence to determine your eligibility for TPS.
This process may take several months.
5. Approval or Denial:
If your application is approved, you will be granted TPS, which includes protection from deportation and the ability to obtain a work permit.
If your application is denied, you may be able to appeal the decision.
Important Notes:
There is a specific registration period for each TPS designation. You must apply within this period to be considered. TPS is temporary. You must re-register periodically to maintain your status. TPS is not a path to permanent residency: TPS does not lead to a green card or citizenship. However, it can provide a safe haven for individuals who cannot return to their home country due to dangerous conditions.
Who or what is behind this influx to Springfield?
Check in Wednesday Feb 19, 2025 for the final chapter.
Post 2 of 3
Beth Donahue
1 Diederich, B. (1986). Papa Doc: The truth about the tontons macoutes. Rutgers University Press.
2 Abbott, E. (1988). Haiti: The Duvaliers and their legacy. McGraw-Hill.
3 See list of Haitian government leaders between 1986 and 2011. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_heads_of_state_of_Haiti)
4 The Clinton Foundation and their Haiti projects. (Donald Trump to meet in Miami with skeptical Haitian Americans, By Miami Herald, Patricia Mazzei, Miami Herald Writer, Sept. 16, 2016 https://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/donald-trump-to-meet-in-miami-with-skeptical-haitian-americans/2293855/)
5 D'Souza, Dinesh. Hillary's America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party. Regnery Publishing, 2016.
6 Clinton Foundation: (https://www.democracynow.org/2016/1/13/headlines/nyc_protesters_target_bill_clinton_over_conditions_in_haiti_6_years_after_earthquake)
7 The Washington Post article on Clinton-backed projects in Haiti. (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2016/06/13/did-the-clinton-foundation-raise-hundreds-of-millions-of-dollars-for-a-hospital-in-haiti-that-was-never-built/)
8 See reports on the assassination of Jovenel Moïse and the subsequent crisis in Haiti. (BBC, January 31, 2023 “Haiti president's assassination: What we know so far” https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-57762246)
9 See reports on the restavek system in Haiti. (http://jeanrcadet.org/, the Jean R. Cadet Restavek Organization)
10 The World Bank. Haiti. Retrieved from [World Bank website]
11 Gorgas, D. (2011). (Medical aid in Haiti shows plight of its kids Dr. Diane Gorgas, For The Columbus Dispatch; https://www.dispatch.com/story/lifestyle/health-fitness/2011/07/31/medical-aid-in-haiti-shows/23624459007/)
12 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Temporary Protected Status. Retrieved from [https://www.uscis.gov/]
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