SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (BP) – Keny Felix, president of the Southern Baptist Convention National Haitian Fellowship, joined faith leaders from across the U.S. in Springfield Feb. 2 advocating for continued Temporary Protective Status (TPS) for Haitians and the humane treatment of all immigrants here.
“Extending TPS for our Haitian brothers and sisters and other vulnerable communities facing similar challenges is not simply about charity, but about our moral duty,” said Felix, senior pastor of Bethel Evangelical Baptist Church in Miami. “Failure to protect the most vulnerable would be equal to not only denying their inherent dignity, but it would be to deny our own humanity.”
Representing about 500 Southern Baptist Haitian congregations and collaborating with Haitian pastors, Felix joined about 700 faith and civic leaders advocating for the 350,000 Haitians and others who hold TPS here, including about 15,000 in Springfield.
While the group was praying and speaking at the public meeting and preceding closed-door summit, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes in Washington extended the TPS that was to end Feb. 3 for Haitian immigrants in the U.S.
Extending the status while a related lawsuit travels through the court system, Reyes noted several factors including the positive impact Haitian immigrants have, their inability to live safely in their home country of Haiti, and evidence that shows Haitian immigrants are largely law abiding and economically productive.
“The government contends that termination serves the public interest by advancing national security. But they offer no evidence that Haitian TPS holders pose any threat to the United States,” Reyes wrote in her 83-page ruling shared by the New York Times. “In fact, Haitian immigrants are overwhelmingly law abiding, with incarceration rates lower than those of native-born Americans. The government neither rebuts plaintiffs’ evidence nor identifies any national security interest in terminating Haiti’s TPS designation pending the resolution of this litigation.”
The Trump Administration criticized the ruling.
“Haiti’s TPS was granted following an earthquake that took place over 15 years ago, it was never intended to be a de facto amnesty program, yet that’s how previous administrations have used it for decades,” Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin posted on X. “Temporary means temporary and the final word will not be from an activist judge legislating from the bench.”
In Springfield, Felix attended the event “Here We Stand: Faith Leaders for Immigration Justice & Family Unity,” held at 9 a.m. at St. John Missionary Baptist Church (non-SBC) and sponsored by the multidenominational Faith in Action, Organizing Undivided and G92 Love Thy Neighbor.
So many attended the event that the Springfield fire marshal reduced the crowd by 150 people before the event could continue, according to a report broadcast by WBNS TV10. Organizers billed the event as a “national day of activism, prayer, solidarity and public witness calling for justice, compassion and the extension of TPS for Haitians.”
In his remarks to the hundreds from across Ohio and from other states, Felix addressed the economic impact that ending TPS would have on many communities, he told Baptist Press, but moreover highlighted the humanitarian need and a moral responsibility. Felix has long advocated for Haitian immigrants here, as the pastor of a largely Haitian congregation.
In attendance were civic and faith leaders representing several denominations. Interdenominational Ministerial Fellowship & Amos Project President Mike Young, host pastor Ernie Brown, Springfield NAACP President Denise Goode Williams, Catholic priest Chris Komoroski, Faith in Action Executive Director Dwayne Royster and Fairmount Presbyterian Church Pastor Ryan Wallace were among those in attendance.
In May 2025, Felix was among a group of ethnic leaders the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission convened to travel to Washington to discuss with elected officials immigration, the sanctity of life and other issues important to Southern Baptists.
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