Fear and uncertainty remain among Haitians living in Springfield despite a judge's decision to stall a plan to cancel their Temporary Protected Status.

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (WCMH) — A last-minute ruling has prevented one-fourth of Springfield from losing the right to live and work legally in the U.S., issued hours before immigration protections for Haitians were set to expire.

Springfield, Ohio, is a the center of the nationwide immigration debate once again after the town's thousands of Haitian migrants were hotly debated during the 2024 election.

Hundreds of people in Springfield gathered Monday to rally in support of Haitian migrants in the community, but not everyone is in support of them remaining in the city under a protected status.

According to the United Nations, more than 1.4 million people have been displaced across Haiti as gang violence and political instability worsen. Doctors Without Borders says it is “alarmed and outraged” by what it calls the overwhelming severity of sexual and gender-based violence.

Haitian migrants in Springfield face uncertainty as Temporary Protected Status nears its end, sparking fears of arrests and deportations.

On a recent Thursday afternoon, at a mostly empty Caribbean restaurant in southeast Springfield, Pushon Jacques grimaced as he talked about what could happen if and when Haiti loses its Temporary Protected Status after Tuesday.

With Temporary Protected Status for Haitians set to expire on February 3, Miami leaders and faith groups urge the Trump administration not to rescind protections.