Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is stepping in with a decisive response after Springfield, Ohio, found itself in the national spotlight over an influx of 20,000 Haitian migrants. DeWine announced that law enforcement resources and millions of dollars would be allocated to the community to help manage the strain this influx has placed on local infrastructure, healthcare, and public safety.
Residents of Springfield and Clark County have been vocal about the challenges they've faced since the arrival of these migrants, particularly when it comes to reckless driving and long wait times for healthcare. Many have pointed out that the influx has overwhelmed local resources, leading to growing frustration among longtime residents. DeWine is making it clear that he intends to address these concerns head-on, criticizing the federal government for its lack of a cohesive plan to handle the issue.
The governor’s first step is sending Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers to assist the local police with a rising issue of dangerous driving. According to the governor’s office, the surge in reckless driving can be linked to a mix of inexperienced drivers—many of whom are recent Haitian arrivals—combined with general traffic law violations. Starting Thursday, these troopers will target roads with the highest accident rates in Springfield, aiming to restore order and keep the community safe.
Springfield, Ohio:
I sat down with Anthony Harris (@AlfredoPastaDon) who recently went viral for his testimony at the city commission.
“The Haitians were just wrecking into stuff nonstop.”
We talked extensively about his documentation of daily car accidents from the… pic.twitter.com/njzy6qRts2
— Tayler Hansen (@TaylerUSA) September 11, 2024
Healthcare has also become a significant concern. With the arrival of so many migrants, local healthcare providers are struggling to keep up. Wait times have ballooned, and the demand for translation services has increased sharply. DeWine announced $2.5 million in state funding to help alleviate these pressures, especially given that many of the migrants arriving from Haiti have had little to no access to healthcare services before reaching the U.S. This includes basic vaccinations, further complicating the strain on local hospitals and clinics.
In a press release, DeWine made his frustrations with the federal government’s handling of the migrant situation clear. "The federal government has not demonstrated that they have any kind of plan to deal with the issue. We will not walk away," he stated.
The temporary legal status granted by the Biden-Harris administration allows many of these migrants to remain and work in the U.S. until at least February 2026, and possibly beyond. This influx has left state and local governments scrambling to address the practical challenges that come with such a large and sudden increase in population.
Attorney General Dave Yost is also looking for ways to take action. He’s directed his office to explore legal options to prevent the federal government from sending more migrants to Ohio without a solid plan in place. With Springfield struggling to absorb such a large number of people in such a short time, many local officials and residents feel that the federal government has left them to fend for themselves.
Springfield City Manager Bryan Heck explained that the town’s affordable housing and job availability had drawn migrants to the area. The city, which was once in a state of decline, has seen an economic resurgence thanks to a manufacturing boom. However, that success story is now overshadowed by reports of migrants arriving in buses, being dropped off at local gas stations and laundromats.