Family of Haitian man arrested by ICE in Springfield says they are very scared for him | Local
While wiping away tears with her sweater sleeve, Springfield resident Louine Farah said she is very scared about what is going to happen to her family because the father of her child has been arrested and locked up by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Elisthene Petit Kat, 38, of Haiti, was arrested on Aug. 15 while he was on his way to work after police pulled over a vehicle he was a passenger in, according to Farah. Elisthene, who is currently incarcerated at the Butler County Jail on an ICE hold, works at a local automotive supply and manufacturing company.
“I’m really vulnerable right now,” Farah told the Dayton Daily News, speaking through a translator. “If they look into sending him to Haiti, basically I will have to go with him too.”
Elisthene was one of more than two dozen Haitians who have been recently detained at the Butler County Jail on ICE holds. Many have connections to Springfield.
ICE has been active in Springfield at least over the past week following the Trump administration’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status for Haiti — a move impacting thousands of local Haitian-born residents who were previously shielded from arrest and deportation.
In the last week, Dayton Daily News and Springfield News-Sun reporters have witnessed multiple ICE arrests, attempted arrests and searches and patrols. Federal agents have been spotted in all corners of the city, often driving up and down commercial corridors and sometimes stationing themselves in front of local businesses, homes and other properties.
Elisthene did not have TPS, but he and Farah applied for asylum and are awaiting a decision. Farah said she has lived in the United States for several years.
Farah and Elisthene share a 4-year-old daughter named Franseca. They live in a duplex in southern Springfield.
Farah said she fled Haiti because she was in danger and her house was set ablaze. Armed gangs have burned many homes in the Caribbean nation and committed other violent and terroristic acts.
Farah said she did not think her family was at risk of ICE attention and arrest because they were in the process of applying for asylum.
ICE has said asylum is one form of legal status, but applying for asylum does not mean someone has legal status. “Only an immigration court or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services can grant asylum — and only after an alien follows a specific process,” the agency says.
Farah said her family does not have the money to afford a lawyer to fight for Elisthene’s release.
She recently started a new job, but she has not received her first paycheck yet and her weekly pay is only around $400. Farah said she does not know how her family is going to be able to afford the rent and other bills that are coming due soon.
Farah said Elisthene has been extremely ill and isn’t eating. And she said her daughter misses her dad.
Farah describes Elisthene as “wise” and a very hard worker who steers clear of trouble. She said he is a family man.
This news outlet also talked to a couple of Elisthene’s neighbors. One friend, who spoke through a translator but who did not wish to be named, said the situation is troubling but it is “ in God’s hands.”