The City of Springfield has experienced a surge in our population over the last several years, primarily due to an influx of legal immigrants choosing Springfield, Ohio as their new home. Here are some most frequently asked questions about immigration in Springfield.
Q: Why Springfield?
A: Springfield is an appealing place for many reasons including lower cost of living and available work. These conditions are thought to be the primary reasons for immigrants to choose Springfield. Now that there are numerous immigrant families residing in our community, word of mouth is adding to our population, as this communal culture is sharing their positive experiences about living in our community with family and friends who are also seeking to leave the impoverished and dangerous living conditions of their home country.
But it’s not just Clark County. Other Ohio counties that are experiencing similar population increases due to immigration include, Allen County, Hancock County and the Columbus and Cleveland metro areas.
Q: How many Immigrants live here in Springfield?
A: Although it is impossible to provide an exact number, based on data provided from numerous sources, such as Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Springfield City Schools, area healthcare providers and social services agencies, the total immigrant population is estimated to be approximately 12,000 – 15,000 in Clark County.
Q: Is Springfield a “sanctuary city?”
A: No. The City has never adopted a resolution to designate the city in that way.
Q: Was any government entity – local, state or federal – involved in bringing the Haitian refugees to Springfield?
A: No government entity is responsible for the influx of Haitians into Clark County. Once a person with Temporary Protected Status enters the country, they are free to locate wherever they choose.
Q: Are Springfield City Commissioners profiting from the Haitian migration?
A: No. City Commissioners make between $11,000 and $14,000 a year for their public service.
Q: Are the immigrants here legally and how did they qualify?
A: YES, Haitian immigrants are here legally, under the Immigration Parole Program. Once here, immigrants are then eligible to apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Haiti is designated by the Secretary of Homeland Security for TPS. Current TPS is granted through February 3, 2026.
Q: How do I learn more about TPS?
A: To learn more about Temporary Protected Status, visit the US Citizen and Immigration Services website at: https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status
Q: Are the immigrants here to stay?
A: Humanitarian Parole and TPS are temporary benefits and do not automatically lead to permanent residence/issuance of a visa or “green card.” However, immigrants cannot be deported while granted TPS.
Q: Why don’t the immigrants work?
A: Immigrants are working in Springfield—in various industries that are in great need of workers. Jobs include work in warehouses, manufacturing and the service industry. Some immigrants are working in professional jobs as well.
Springfield is also now home to ten newer businesses, opened by Haitian immigrants, including, 2 Haitian restaurants, 7 Haitian grocery stores and 1 Haitian food truck.
Q: Why are immigrants entitled to social services?
A: Immigrants with TPS are legally qualified to receive financial assistance, health and nutrition services, employment and education services and housing services. Since immigrants granted TPS must apply for an Employment Authorization Document that can take up to several months to receive, they may need assistance until they can legally seek employment. Most of the benefits received flow through the Clark County Department of Job and Family Services.
Q: Are Haitians creating crime concerns?
A: Haitians are more likely to be the victims of crime than they are to be the perpetrators in our community. Clark County jail data shows there are 199 inmates in our county jail this week. Two of them are Haitian. That’s 1% (as of Sept. 8). Anecdotal data shows that Haitian drivers are having a high rate of accidents, and one resulted in a bus crash that took the life of an 11 year old last year. That’s why the City of Springfield started a first-of-its-kind driver training course in conjunction with the State of Ohio. Springfield City Schools is conducting Drivers Training for Haitian Creole speakers.
Q: Are Haitian refugees killing geese in parks for food?
A: No. The local game warden with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources says there is no evidence to support these claims. The county dispatch received one call claiming this, and it was not able to be substantiated by the deputy who responded.
Q: Are Haitian refugees registering to vote?
A: The Clark County Department of Job and Family Services is required by state law to provide voter registration forms to every customer during the benefits process including the application, reapplication and change of address. Currently, the Ohio Secretary of State’s office has only approved voter registration forms in English and Spanish. The form is not being offered in Haitian Creole. Any form in Haitian Creole is invalid and is not approved by the county Board of Elections or the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office. It is illegal to create a voter registration form without the state’s consent.
Q: Is there an entire wing of the hospital dedicated to Haitian women with HIV/AIDs?
A: No. Springfield Regional Medical Center reports that this is not the case today and has never been the case.
Q: Are Haitians being released after arrest because of the language barrier?
A: Nobody is being released due to the language barrier. There are translators and equipment that allow our police department to communicate in any language.
Q: How many traffic stops have been unlicensed people?
A: This data is not currently available.
Q: What English Language classes are available for Haitians to help them assimilate into the community?
A: Clark State College received a grant from the Ohio Department of Development to expand its English as a Second Language (ESL) program. According to Clark State, the program will include additional workshops like ones on workforce culture and literacy, resumé writing, in-demand job awareness and training related to fields such as manufacturing, healthcare and customer service. It will also offer basic workforce language classes to business owners and HR professionals to help bridge the language gaps for a comprehensive community approach. The program will be free to participants including speakers of Spanish, French and Haitian Creole.
Q: What are the challenges we face as a community based on this population increase?
A: The primary challenges that Springfield faces includes:
• the rapid rise in our population
• lack of resources to provide for the increased population, including: public safety, healthcare, housing and adequate school resources
• language barriers
• intolerance and racism
• Driving Rules and Regulations
Q: What are we doing about the challenges we’re facing?
A: Community leaders and agencies are working collaboratively to provide programs and solutions to acclimate our new immigrant community and to protect our entire population of Springfield. Some initiatives already executed include: English language classes, driving courses, cultural awareness, banking and home ownership, work opportunities and healthcare.
City leaders are also working with state and federal legislators in an effort to get the increased funding necessary to ensure continued public and sustainable for all of our citizens in our community.
