President Trump wants to deport legal immigrants who have lived in the United States for decades.
So far, some governors have disagreed with Trump and filed lawsuits in court.
Republican Ohio Governor Mike DeWine publicly broke with Trump a month ago over Trump’s proposed attack on Haitian immigrants in the state.
On September 1, 2026 Pierre Dams Bel, a 20-year-old college student and legal immigrant parked his car on the should of Highway 1-70. He reportedly stepped out of his car. Turned and walked into incoming traffic reports The Hill.
Pierre Dam’s father, Pierre Ronal, said his son was distraught after the federal government and ICE ordered him to wear an ankle bracelet. As a young man, a soccer player, a person who wanted to do great things in the United States – young Pierre Dam felt betrayed, humiliated, and worthless.
During a CBS interview in July, DeWine said that deporting legal immigrants back to Haiti isn’t in the best interests of the United States or Ohio. “We need immigrants to help us build Ohio,” DeWine said.
WHY GO BACK TO HAITI?
Life in Haiti isn’t easy. Columbus lander there in 1492 and called the island Hispaniola.
The French arrived in 1600’s. The completed the near extermination of the indigenous population and imported West Africans as slaves.
Since the European exploration and exploitation in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti has primarily been a country in chaos.
NPR recently reported that 47 people were killed on August 25th after armed men attacked a peaceful community near Port-au-Prince. For more than a year, gangs have controlled the streets exacting tolls from an already impoverished people.
In this moment, DeWine could stand up and denounce the oppressive ICE practices. What will he do?
