When President Donald Trump announced the end to refugee Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians migrants, he put 500,000 Haitians at risk for deportation….including a young teacher in a conservative Ohio community. But their response might surprise you.
Suggested Reading
Marc Rocher came to America in 2023 after his close friend was kidnapped. The 32-year-old enrolled in a humanitarian parole program, hopeful that he would escape the rising violence in his home country for good, according to NBC News. After two years, Rocher is now a teacher and an active member of his Lima, Ohio community. But everything he has built came crashing down with the news of the end of TPS effective on Sept. 2, 2025.
TPS, as defined by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration services, is a “temporary benefit,” allowing migrants fleeing from war, natural disaster or violence to come into the country. Although TPS doesn’t directly lead to permanent immigration status, “an individual also cannot be detained by DHS on the basis of his or her immigration status in the United States” once granted TPS.
Immigrants from Haiti were originally given TPS in 2010, according to the Federal Register. At the end of June 2025, however, the Department of Homeland Security announced that Haiti no longer fits the criteria for such protections. So Haitians like Rocher have been scrambling to plan their next steps.
Rocher, who currently works as a science teacher and translator, has become an integral part of his Ohio community. That’s why Andy and Amy Schafer, an American couple who adopted two Haitian boys last year, started calling their Republican representatives and sharing Rocher’s story.
In a Facebook post, the couple wrote, “He’s like family. With the termination of the CHNV parole, we are at risk of losing ‘Our Marc.’ We urgently need your help!” They continued saying the 32-year-old “pay[s] federal taxes, Medicare, city taxes, state taxes, and SERS out of his paycheck. He receives NO assistance from the U.S. government, yet he is still contributing to programs he will never benefit from.”
“Marc, along with others in this situation, is NOT a criminal,” the post declared. “He is the most humble, self-sacrificing man we have the privilege to call friend.” Since spreading the word, many have asked why Rocker just doesn’t take the legal steps to become a naturalized citizen. But it’s way more complicated than that.
“They’re trying to help, but they don’t really know what it takes. They don’t really know about immigration,” Rocher told NBC. Under TPS, individuals cannot apply to become an U.S. citizen. So despite his contributions to the country, there is currently no clear path towards Rocher’s American citizenship.
Still, he continues to work at his local church and food pantry all while prepping for the upcoming school year. “We’re all people, and if you only put your differences aside — political and cultural — and get to know people and live among them, everything is possible,” Rocher said.
Straight From 
Sign up for our free daily newsletter.