COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) -The Coldwater Haitian community has grown significantly in recent years as individuals have settled in the area for employment.
Many of those residents are facing uncertainty regarding their future legal status, but that anxiety has now been put on hold at least temporarily.
A federal judge is blocking a Trump Administration order that would end Temporary Protected Status for Haitian immigrants across the country. Washington, DC District Court Judge Ana Reyes issued the ruling Monday as a lawsuit over the move is still pending in court.
Haitian nationals here under TPS would have lost their legal residency in the U.S. at midnight without the judicial intervention. Anyone who is in the country on TPS is protected from detention or deportation as long as the judicial stay remains in place.
While specific census counts for Haitians in the city of Coldwater are not available, it’s believed around 500 have found a home in Coldwater as of this year, contributing to the city’s overall 12% foreign-born population.
Several Hattians have established local roots in Coldwater, including businesses like the Sheldy Focus Market, which provides Caribbean produce and imported goods as well as the hundreds who have found employment with Clemons Food Group.
I think they should leave immediately, If they self deport now they will get money and free trip home. If they don’t self-deport and that judge is over-ruled then they might be detained, have to pay a fine and be deported to wherever ICE sends them.
I’m not a racist person but I don’t see any real benefit they brought to our community, they used a huge amount of tax dollars that was not fair to long-standing local residents in need. Also I’ve heard they will eat your pets and put a Vodoo spell on you. It’s just better for everybody they go back home.