ICE detains two Haitian pastors in Ohio

Two Haitian pastors were taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Saturday in Springfield, Ohio, while a local student from the same community was found dead in a tragic incident that left neighbors stunned. Denise Gedeon, whose husband, Pastor Joubert Adrien, was among those detained, said she only wants to see him home. The arrests and the death came on the same weekend, sparking vigils and prayers as the small Haitian community feels under siege by federal enforcement.

The crackdown comes after ICE intensified its focus on Haitian migrants who have been living in Ohio for years. Many arrived as refugees or under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and have built churches that serve as community hubs. The pastors, who had been leading their congregations for over a decade, were reportedly stopped at a checkpoint while traveling to a church event. Local officials say the detentions were part of a broader operation targeting Haitian clergy, who are seen as influential figures. The death of the student, a 19‑year‑old who was studying at a nearby university, was ruled an accidental drowning in a canal near the campus; the family is demanding a thorough investigation.

Community leaders have called the arrests a threat to the safety of their faith community. A joint statement from the Haitian churches in Springfield said the pastors’ detention “puts the entire community at risk.” They urged local law‑enforcement agencies to cooperate with ICE, but also warned that fear could drive people into the shadows. The student’s family has asked for a public memorial, and a candlelight vigil was held last night. The city’s mayor announced a meeting with ICE officials to discuss the impact on the Haitian population.

The next steps involve legal appeals from the pastors, who have been charged with immigration violations. Their attorneys plan to file a habeas corpus petition, arguing that their detention violates their rights. Meanwhile, the Haitian community is organizing a protest march for Monday, hoping to draw attention to the broader issue of immigration enforcement in Ohio. The case highlights how federal policies can ripple through small, tight‑knit communities, forcing them to navigate fear while holding onto their faith.