SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — Half a million Haitians could lose their work permits and now face deportation.
This comes after President Donald Trump cut protections that many were relying on for shelter and stability in the United States.
Deportations could happen by August.
One area that became a hot bed for immigration talk and political rhetoric during the election season was the town of Springfield outside of Dayton.
Over the years, the city became a haven for thousands of Haitian refugees.
“Haitians don’t have (a) country now,” said Ketlie Moise, owner of the Haitian restaurant Keket Bon Gout in Springfield.
Spectrum News 1 shared Moise's story several months ago.
Now she and others can’t stop watching heartbreaking news from their home country.
“Take one kid, one month and drop in the fire. Mom passed away after one day,” she said.
Moise said she can’t call Haiti home and fears she won’t be able to call this community home either.
She even made a ‘to-go’ box for her friend…but now it just sits on the counter.
“A lot of Haitians move. They left Springfield, going somewhere. I don’t know where they go, but they moved and left Springfield. Yesterday I talked to my friend, her name is Sophie, but she moved. I’ve got a lot of friends gone,” Moise said.
A week ago, the restaurant owner celebrated happy moments for a birthday at her business, but now the feelings have shifted.
“Everybody is scared,” she said.
Moving back to Haiti isn’t an option.
“I lost my Mom inside my business. They killed my Mom. You know if I have my deportation now, going back to Haiti, I can’t go back to my country," Moise said.
She said many Haitians in Springfield are trying to figure out what to do next because home isn’t home anymore.
“A lot of people, Haitian, can’t stay in Haiti for now," she said. "They lost their house, lost your family. That’s so bad."
Springfield Mayor Rob Rue's office released the following statement:
"We fully support the immigrants in our community who are here legally. At the same time, we remain steadfast in our commitment to upholding federal law, as we always have, and will continue to comply with any guidance from the Federal Administration."
