Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (R) is sending law enforcement and millions of dollars to Springfield, Ohio, after residents’ public grievances about the influx of 20,000 Haitian migrants to their community garnered national attention.
DeWine said Tuesday that state troopers will be sent to help address the growing reckless driving issue, largely sparked by the migrant influx. He’ll also be dedicating $2.5 million toward health care. Wait times for health care have significantly increased for residents due to the migrants.
“I want the people of Springfield and Clark County to know that as we move forward, we will continue to do everything we can to help the community deal with this surge of migrants,” DeWine said. “The federal government has not demonstrated that they have any kind of plan to deal with the issue. We will not walk away.”
“The influx of Haitians to Springfield and Clark County has significantly impacted local primary care providers due to the increased number of patients and the need for more translation services,” a press release from the governor’s office said. “In general, migrants from Haiti have had little to no healthcare services prior to arriving in the United States, including vaccinations.”
“To address the increase in dangerous driving in Springfield by inexperienced Haitian drivers and all others who disregard traffic laws, Governor DeWine directed the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) to support the Springfield Police Department with traffic enforcement,” the press release noted. “Beginning [Thursday] morning, OSHP troopers will patrol local roads with the highest crash rates and hold accountable any driver who drives erratically and risks the safety of others.”
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In addition to DeWine’s action, the state’s Republican Attorney General Dave Yost directed his office to research legal avenues to stop the federal government from sending “an unlimited number of migrants to Ohio communities.”
The Biden-Harris administration in June gave 300,000 Haitians temporary legal status, which lasts until at least February 2026. This allows these migrants to remain and work in the U.S. until then, and possibly beyond. This was awarded to any Haitian in the U.S. who was here before or on June 3, and included thousands of Haitians in Springfield.
City Manager Bryan Heck said his town attracted migrants because of its affordable housing and job openings. The city was in turmoil for years, but had a turnaround when manufacturing picked up.
Numerous residents have said they witnessed “buses” of these migrants being dropped off at gas stations and laundromats.
Related: What You Need To Know About The Ohio Town Overrun By Haitian Immigrants