FINDLAY, OH — As the national debate over immigrant workers intensifies, Findlay’s Immigration Task Force is proactively addressing local concerns. On Wednesday, the city launched a dedicated webpage to promote transparency regarding the task force’s activities. The goal is to provide residents with accurate information to ease anxiety and dispel misinformation.
“We are committed to transparency. By sharing the work of the immigration task force, we hope to empower our residents to engage in the conversation with fact-based information,” said Muryn.
Currently, approximately 1,000 immigrants live and work in Findlay, with around 1,500 in the greater Hancock County area. As of May, about 300 of these workers were employed through First Diversity Staffing, a temporary staffing service based in Springfield, Ohio.
On September 10, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that he would be sending law enforcement and healthcare resources to Springfield, which is experiencing a surge in temporary Haitian migrants. Since 2020, around 15,000 Haitians have arrived in the city of 59,000, fleeing unrest in their homeland.
During his press conference, DeWine mentioned that both Findlay and Lima are also seeing an increase in Haitian immigrants.
The situation in Springfield gained national attention after former President Donald Trump claimed during a presidential debate that the Haitian population there was resorting to eating cats, dogs, and wild geese. Local officials refuted these claims, asserting that Haitian workers are contributing positively to the local economy. Following the debate, Springfield faced bomb threats that led to school and municipal building closures.
The Haitian Bridge Alliance, a nonprofit organization, has filed criminal charges against Trump and Ohio Senator JD Vance for perpetuating false claims about the Haitian community.
Findlay’s factories rely heavily on immigrant workers to maintain production. For instance, ROKI America Co., Ltd., located at 2001 Production Drive, reported that its turnover rate for temporary employees dropped from 112% in August 2022 to zero in March. Temporary workers constitute nearly half of the factory’s hourly workforce, allowing the company to operate without relying solely on a few salaried employees or overtime.
ROKI America manufactures air and fluid filtration parts for various industries, including automotive and marine. The company, which is headquartered in Japan, has a history of fostering diversity in its global factories, which span 11 countries.
The Findlay Immigration Task Force is dedicated to helping both immigrants and the community adapt to changing circumstances. In a statement on September 12, Muryn addressed the governor’s announcement, acknowledging the fears surrounding change. She assured residents that the city will take necessary steps to maintain and improve the community.
On Friday, Muryn expressed her belief that staffing services like First Diversity could help alleviate the national workforce shortage. However, she noted that while immigrant workers are part of the solution, she does not support a rapid increase in immigration due to the challenges it could pose for the community.
“I hope that recent discussions about immigration reform will lead to a better system for immigrants to contribute to the U.S. economy while also addressing the challenges of unmanaged immigration,” she said.
Muryn established the immigration task force earlier this year to manage the growing number of immigrant workers. The task force consists of around 60 volunteers from various agencies that interact with the immigrant population. They held their first meeting in February.
In April, community education on immigration and cultural differences was identified as a priority. Recent events have heightened the urgency of this work, with language and healthcare education for immigrants at the forefront of the task force’s efforts.
Muryn noted that Findlay City Schools, the Blanchard Valley Health System, and Hancock Public Health, all members of the task force, are prepared to support the growing population. Language barriers and incomplete medical records have posed challenges for local healthcare providers. The mayor is in discussions with Governor DeWine about securing support to alleviate these costs.
Access to English as a Second Language (ESL) and driver education programs is also being expanded in the area.
“Collective responses from organizations and volunteers are crucial in addressing the challenges we face. This collaboration helps us meet the needs of our community as a whole,” Muryn stated.
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