Rep. Humphrey Urges Immediate Action as Temporary Protected Status for Haiti Ends Tomorrow, Raises Concerns Over ICE Activity in Columbus
COLUMBUS — State Rep. Latyna M. Humphrey (D-Columbus) today issued an urgent statement as Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals is set to expire tomorrow, February 3rd, placing thousands of families across the country - including many in Central Ohio - at risk of losing legal protections they have relied on for years.
“As TPS for Haitians comes to an end tomorrow, families are facing an overwhelming amount of uncertainty,” said Rep. Humphrey. “These are parents, workers, and children who have built their lives here and are now unsure what tomorrow will bring.”
Temporary Protected Status is a humanitarian program established by Congress to allow individuals from countries experiencing armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions to live and work legally in the United States. Haiti has long qualified for TPS due to ongoing political instability, widespread violence, humanitarian collapse, and mass displacement.
Haiti continues to experience extreme gang violence, political instability, food insecurity, and limited access to basic services for years. Humanitarian organizations have consistently warned that conditions remain unsafe for large-scale returns, particularly for families with children and individuals who have lived outside the country for many years.
“Temporary Protected Status has allowed Haitian families to live, work, and contribute safely in our communities,” added Rep. Humphrey. “The loss of these protections creates fear and instability for people who have done everything asked of them and who simply want to care for their families.”
The expiration of Haitian TPS also comes at a time of heightened anxiety in immigrant communities, including in Columbus, where families report increased concern about immigration enforcement activity and its potential impact.
“Here in Columbus, this moment feels especially urgent,” continued Rep. Humphrey. “When TPS protections expire while families are already feeling unsettled by ICE activity, it deepens fear and uncertainty. People begin to worry about everyday actions-going to work, taking their children to school, or accessing basic services.”
Rep. Humphrey emphasized that uncertainty surrounding enforcement can undermine community trust and stability, particularly when families are navigating sudden changes to their legal status with little clarity or support.
Haitian TPS holders are legally employed, pay taxes, raise U.S.-citizen children, and play a vital role in Ohio’s workforce and economy. Advocates warn that allowing TPS to lapse without clear protections in place risks family separation, economic disruption, and long-term harm to neighborhoods across the state.
“As a state legislator, I am urging compassion, clarity, and immediate attention to the real human impact of this moment,” concluded Rep. Humphrey. “Haitian families deserve stability, dignity, and the opportunity to continue contributing to the communities they call home without fear.”