temporary protected status

A beloved Springfield Haitian pastor is home after being detained in the Butler County Jail for 27 days.

The report said 63 Haitians were booked into four Ohio jails between July 27 and Aug. 31, compared to just 26 in the previous seven months.

Faith leaders delivered a letter to Gov. Mike DeWine Friday, asking him to protect Haitians immigrants in Ohio who have lost temporary protected status.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has increased arrests and required ankle monitors for many Haitian residents in Springfield.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the department won't stop using GPS ankle devices or seeking to detain and deport Haitian immigrants who no longer have Temporary Protected Status.

Pierre Damas Bel, 20, was a Haitian immigrant who died Monday by apparent suicide after being forced by the Department of Homeland Security to wear a GPS ankle monitor.

The family of Pierre Damas Bel of Springfield believe his death by suicide is connected to the DHS requirement to wear a GPS monitor. Several Haitians and activists called for the monitoring to end.

Pierre Damas Bel, a Haitian immigrant studying at Wright State University, died on Monday. His father said in a statement, "The government treated my son like an animal."

Federal agents have increased arrests of Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, following the end of TPS, including of a well-known pastor.

Springfield city leaders are aware federal ICE agents are carrying out arrests in the community.