Ohio Republicans Break With Trump
Facing pressure in Ohio, some Republicans are distancing themselves from President Trump's stance on immigration. Pastor Carl Ruby, a supporter of Springfield, Ohio's 10,000 Haitian immigrants, sought to discuss the community's struggles and contributions with his congressman, Republican Mike Turner. Turner, who faces an election in November, surprised Ruby with his understanding of immigrants' economic benefits.
Turner was among just 10 of 214 House Republicans who voted with Democrats last month to extend immigration protections for Haitians. Mike Carey, another Ohio Republican congressman from Columbus, also voted with Democrats on the bill. A Bowling Green State University and YouGov poll released this week showed that 15% of Ohioans who voted for Trump in 2024 regret their decision.
Vulnerable Seats and Shifting Politics
Robert Alexander, a political science professor who headed up the poll, noted concerns over the economy, inflation, and unhappiness with the status quo. He said there is higher enthusiasm among Democrats for this year’s midterm elections. The Senate Leadership Fund, a Republican Super Pac, has poured $79 million into the Senate race between Republican Jon Husted and Democrat Sherrod Brown.
Turner, a former mayor of Dayton, has faced criticism for not holding in-person town halls. Ruby believes Turner is responding to pressure from local leaders and voters who understand the value of immigrants. Following Trump's comments in September 2024, where he falsely accused immigrants of eating pets in Springfield, Ruby faced threats that led him to share information with the FBI.
Supreme Court and TPS Uncertainty
Viles Dorsainvil, who runs the Haitian Community Help & Support Center in Springfield, is a plaintiff in a case challenging the Trump administration's efforts to end temporary protected status for 350,000 Haitians. Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson questioned how Trump's remarks about Haitians were not discriminatory. The court ruled in favor of the Trump administration's ending of TPS for more than 300,000 Venezuelan nationals last October.
Ruby estimates the Supreme Court may rule on the TPS for Haitians issue by June, but the uncertainty affects the community in Springfield. Ruby said that businesses are hesitant to hire Haitians because of the uncertainty surrounding their work authorization. His church now offers mass services in Creole to serve the growing number of Haitians attending.
Utah's Homelessness Plan Stalls
While some Republicans are diverging from Trump on immigration, a Trump-inspired plan to address homelessness in Utah is facing challenges. State lawmakers declined to back a plan to move 1,300 homeless people to a campus on the edge of Salt Lake City. Supporters are trying to keep the plan’s spirit alive despite the setback.
The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the TPS for Haitians issue by June, which will determine the fate of thousands of Haitian immigrants and shape the political landscape in states like Ohio.
