The United States is witnessing a sharp divide between Republican- and Democrat-led states in response to President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed immigration policies, particularly his mass deportation plan.
This week, 26 Republican governors publicly declared their support for the measures, while Democratic leaders in several states voiced their opposition.
What About Haitian Immigrants in States That Signed the Letter?
Some of the states that signed the letter of support have large populations of Haitian immigrants. These include Florida, Georgia, and Ohio, among others.
In 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded more than 731,000 Haitian nationals living in Florida. This represents over 2% of Florida’s total population and 16% of the state’s Caribbean population.
This figure has certainly risen considerably, with over 211,000 Haitians admitted under the Biden parole program. Several thousand others have also entered the U.S. via the southern border and other routes.
While not entirely unexpected, the signing of this correspondence by Governor Ron DeSantis is worrying for Florida’s Haitian community, where immigration officers could potentially conduct deportation operations in previously off-limits places such as schools, churches, and hospitals.
It’s a similar situation in Ohio, where moderate Republican Governor Mike DeWine signed the Republican Governors Association letter pledging full support for the next administration’s mass deportation policy. Although Ohio’s Haitian population is smaller compared to Florida and other states, it remains significant.
In the small town of Springfield, with a population of fewer than 60,000, nearly 30% of residents are of Haitian origin, according to data provided by multiple American media outlets. The situation for Springfield’s Haitians is further complicated by the fact that almost all the city’s leaders are Republicans. However, they have historically shown solidarity with the Haitians residing there.
For Haitians living in Columbus, Ohio’s capital, the situation appears less dire for several reasons. Firstly, statistics indicate that Haitians residing in Columbus tend to be fully documented immigrants. Secondly, large cities like Columbus generally pose greater challenges for federal agents attempting to track down undocumented immigrants. That said, no one seems entirely immune to Donald Trump’s overarching mass deportation plan.
A Joint Letter from Republican Governors
In this joint letter, 26 Republican governors, including Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, pledged to assist the Trump administration in its efforts to strengthen border security and execute mass deportations.
The letter criticizes the Biden administration for what the governors describe as “disastrous open border policies,” accusing it of failing to secure the country’s borders and enforce the rule of law.
“When the Biden administration refused to secure our borders and enforce the rule of law, it was Republican governors who acted,” the letter states, highlighting their efforts to mobilize state resources, including law enforcement and National Guard units, to combat illegal immigration.
The letter also echoes common themes from Trump’s campaign rhetoric, stressing the need to deport “dangerous criminals, gang members, and terrorists” who threaten public safety and national security. The governors expressed their readiness to employ all available tools, from local law enforcement to the National Guard, to support the deportation process.
Vermont Governor Phil Scott was the only Republican governor not to sign the letter.
Full List of Republican Governors Who Signed the Letter
The following governors have officially endorsed the plan:
- Kay Ivey (Alabama)
- Mike Dunleavy (Alaska)
- Sarah Sanders (Arkansas)
- Ron DeSantis (Florida)
- Brian Kemp (Georgia)
- Brad Little (Idaho)
- Eric Holcomb (Indiana)
- Kim Reynolds (Iowa)
- Jeff Landry (Louisiana)
- Tate Reeves (Mississippi)
- Mike Parson (Missouri)
- Greg Gianforte (Montana)
- Jim Pillen (Nebraska)
- Joe Lombardo (Nevada)
- Chris Sununu (New Hampshire)
- Doug Burgum (North Dakota)
- Kevin Stitt (Oklahoma)
- Mike DeWine (Ohio)
- Henry McMaster (South Carolina)
- Kristi Noem (South Dakota)
- Bill Lee (Tennessee)
- Greg Abbott (Texas)
- Spencer Cox (Utah)
- Glenn Youngkin (Virginia)
- Jim Justice (West Virginia)
- Mark Gordon (Wyoming)
Democratic Leaders Fight Back
Conversely, Democratic governors and mayors have pledged to protect undocumented immigrants in their jurisdictions. Sanctuary laws in Democrat-led states, such as Illinois, New York, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania, aim to limit cooperation between local authorities and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
New York City Mayor Eric Adams offered a nuanced stance during a press conference, reaffirming the city’s commitment to protecting long-term residents and migrants while advocating for the removal of protections for violent repeat offenders. “We are a city of immigrants,” Adams said, ”but we must also admit that our immigration system is broken and that a small number of repeat violent offenders take advantage of that broken system.”
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs voiced strong opposition to the proposed mass deportations, calling them a threat to local communities. “I will not tolerate misguided policies that terrorize communities or threaten the people of Arizona,” Hobbs stated.
Economic and Logistical Concerns
Democratic leaders have also raised significant logistical and economic concerns. Critics argue that deporting an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants would require enormous resources and could result in family separations and economic disruption, particularly in sectors reliant on immigrant labor.
Mayor Adams pointed out New York City’s financial strain, noting that the city has spent approximately $6.65 billion since 2022 to support new arrivals. He urged federal lawmakers to prioritize immigration reform, strengthen border security, protect Dreamers, and modernize the system.
Even in Republican-led states, some lawmakers have expressed concerns about the scope of Trump’s proposed deportation plan. For instance, Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky has called for a more targeted approach, focusing on deporting criminal migrants rather than implementing widespread sweeps.
Source: Newsweek.