High court got it right on Springfield's Haitan case

If you've lived anywhere near Springfield over the past few years, the city has become the center of a national immigration debate.

This week, the U.S. Supreme Court weighed in, allowing the Trump administration to move forward with ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for hundreds of thousands of Haitians and others who have been living and working in the United States under a program originally intended to be temporary.

The decision drew outrage from immigration activists but the high court got this one right.

The Supreme Court wasn't deciding whether Haitians are good people. It wasn't deciding whether Springfield businesses need workers. It wasn't deciding whether Haiti faces serious challenges.

The high court was deciding a much simpler legal question: Does the president have the authority to end a temporary program created under federal immigration law?

The answer the Supreme Court gave is yes.

For years, Washington has treated "temporary" immigration programs as if they were permanent. Congress creates programs during a crisis, extend them repeatedly and then act shocked when someone eventually suggests following the law as written.

If a program is called Temporary Protected Status, it cannot remain temporary forever.

Many of the Haitians living in Springfield came here legally. They followed the rules existing at the time. They found jobs, rented apartments, attended churches and became part of the community. I don't question their work ethic. Many local employers have praised the reliability of their Haitian workforce.

Acknowledging those facts does not require us to ignore another fact: Congress never intended TPS to become a permanent pathway to residency.

For decades, Congress has refused to really address immigration. Instead, lawmakers kick the can down the road while presidents from both parties rely on executive orders and temporary programs to solve long-term problems.

The result is what we have seen and are seeing today.

Businesses, families and communities like Springfield are uncertain. The blame is on Washington.

Supporters of the Biden administration often pointed to Springfield as proof immigration can help fill workforce shortages. Critics pointed to strained public services, housing shortages and growing community tensions.

The truth is both sides have valid points.

Springfield's population had been declining for years. Local employers struggled to find workers and the Haitian immigrants helped the labor challenges. At the same time, rapid population growth placed significant pressure on schools, housing, health care providers and local government resources. Anyone paying attention noticed.

What bothers me most is the Supreme Court should not have had to weigh in. Congress should have addressed this issue years ago.

If lawmakers believe Haitians who came here legally under TPS deserve a permanent legal status, then Congress should vote on it.

If lawmakers believe TPS should remain temporary, then Congress should say so clearly and create a transition plan.

That's how representative government is supposed to work. Instead, Washington outsourced the issue to bureaucrats, federal agencies and judges.

The Supreme Court simply reminded everyone the judicial branch of government does not write immigration policy. The legislative branch does through lawmaking and the executive branch does through enforcement and delegated rulemaking authority.

As conservatives, we can support legal immigration while demanding secure borders. We can recognize the contributions of immigrants who came here legally while insisting that federal laws actually mean what they say.

The bigger lesson from Springfield is not about Haitians. It's about government credibility.

The Supreme Court did its job this week. Whether you agree with the outcome or not, the justices interpreted the law and respected the constitutional separation of powers.

Now it's Congress's turn.

Rob Scott is the Kettering Clerk of Court, an attorney and a small-business owner. Contact him at rob@robscott.us.