For years, Margery Koveleski has been a key figure in Springfield’s Haitian community, helping immigrants navigate the bureaucratic hurdles of living in the U.S. But recently, she’s seen a troubling shift. Rather than seeking assistance to stay, many Haitians now turn to her for help leaving.
“Some folks don’t have credit cards or internet access, so we help them book flights,” Koveleski explained. “People are leaving.”
Koveleski, along with local community leaders, has reported a wave of Haitians fleeing Springfield—population 60,000—following Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election. The fear: deportation.
Springfield’s Haitian community, which has played a crucial role in revitalizing the city’s economy, is particularly vulnerable due to Trump’s longstanding threats to end the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program. TPS currently allows around 300,000 Haitians to live and work in the U.S. legally. Trump has repeatedly promised to terminate TPS, increasing fears of mass deportation.
The recent election results have deepened these concerns. In the wake of Trump’s rhetoric targeting immigrants, some local Haitian business owners are already reconsidering their futures in Springfield. One storeowner has even suggested moving to cities like New York or Chicago due to a sharp decline in business.
Jacob Payen, co-founder of the Haitian Community Alliance, stated that many Haitians are already leaving Springfield. “Several families have moved to New Jersey, Boston, and even Canada,” he said. “The election result made people afraid of mass deportation.”
Some are relocating to nearby cities, hoping to blend in and avoid attention from authorities. Others, who had sought refuge in Brazil, are contemplating returning there.
Trump’s comments about immigrants in Springfield have drawn national attention, particularly after he falsely accused them of eating pets during a presidential debate. This controversy, combined with a rise in far-right extremism and marches by neo-Nazi groups, has made the Haitian community feel more vulnerable.
The threat of deportation is compounded by ongoing instability in Haiti, which has seen a surge in violence from gangs. The country’s airport in Port-au-Prince was closed this week after gunfire hit a commercial aircraft—marking the second such incident in a month.
While Trump’s administration has pushed to end TPS for Haitians, legal experts suggest it may take time. Katie Kersh, a senior attorney at Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, noted that any efforts to deport Haitians would likely strain an already overwhelmed immigration system.
Even if TPS is eventually revoked, Haitians could be entitled to a court hearing, which could delay any deportations for months or even years. Furthermore, as legal expert Ahilan Arulanantham explained, ending TPS would leave many Haitians without work permits, exacerbating the issue of undocumented immigration.
The potential loss of Haitian workers could significantly impact Springfield’s economy. Haitians have filled vital jobs in packaging and manufacturing, helping to rejuvenate once-declining neighborhoods. “If these people leave, that money is gone from the city and the local economy,” Payen said.
Despite these challenges, some Haitians remain critical of U.S. politics, with some pointing to the Clinton Foundation’s handling of post-earthquake relief in Haiti as a source of frustration. Many believe the funds raised for reconstruction were mishandled, a claim the Clintons deny.
For Koveleski, the lack of faith in both political parties is evident. “Some believe that if Trump says, ‘leave Haiti alone,’ he’s going to leave us alone,” she said.
As deportation threats loom, Springfield’s Haitian community faces an uncertain future, with many questioning whether they can continue to make a life in the U.S.
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