- United States
- Wash.
- Letter
Two things need to happen now: restore TPS protections for Ohio's Haitian community and demand a full, independent investigation into ICE's killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston. These aren't abstract policy debates — they're life-and-death situations unfolding this week.
Springfield's Haitian residents have lived and worked here for over a decade. They contribute an estimated $160 million in economic output and nearly $40 million in taxes annually. Their TPS work authorization expired this week, meaning employers must now fire longtime workers or break federal law. Ohio driver's licenses tied to TPS also expired, making it illegal for thousands of people to drive to work. This community was already targeted by Trump and Vance's false claims about Haitians eating pets — claims that triggered bomb threats, school closures, and hospital lockdowns. Springfield has received zero new business inquiries since those comments, down from roughly 20 per year.
In Houston, ICE shot and killed Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, then took his wallet and phone before putting him in an ambulance, causing him to be admitted as a John Doe and delaying family notification for hours. Three eyewitnesses gave consistent accounts that no agents were in front of the van when shots were fired. ICE officers wore no body cameras. Those witnesses are now in detention and were reportedly pressured to sign self-deportation orders. That is a cover-up in progress. Demand accountability, demand body camera mandates for ICE operations, and fight to restore TPS before more families are torn apart.